On July 8, Jesús Terán, a 35‑year‑old civil engineer from Venezuela and devoted parishioner of St. Oscar Romero Parish, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check‑in at the Pittsburgh field office. He was later transferred to Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a GEO Group facility in Phillipsburg, West Virginia, according to the Observer-Reporter.
A Man Who Lives the Gospel
Since arriving in the U.S. in 2021, Terán and his family—his wife Liseth and their children Kamila, 14, and Lukas, 5—have been active members of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Meadow Lands. Parishioners say he has contributed to the life of the church by serving at community events and helping to build a community garden on the grounds of St. Patrick Church. He tilled soil, repaired equipment, and watered plants twice a week, while his wife brought homemade watermelon juice for neighbors. He was “the neighbor that everyone would want,” according to the Observer-Reporter.
Faithful Compliance, Sudden Detention
Terán had been complying with immigration protocols for over four years, attending scheduled ICE appointments without issue. “It’s been a heartbreaking experience. He’s been faithfully appearing at ICE appointments for more than four years… all of a sudden, he’s detained,” said Rev. Jay Donahue, senior parochial vicar of St. Oscar Romero Parish, according to the Observer-Reporter.
ICE data shows that as of June 29, 57,861 people were in ICE detention, and 71.7 percent—41,495 individuals—had no criminal convictions. Terán has no criminal record.
Church Rallying, Community Mobilizing
Following Terán’s detention, the parish rallied to support his family. The Knights of Columbus at St. Oscar Romero Parish launched a GoFundMe to help with groceries, housing, and legal costs. More than 20 letters of support—including from retired Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and representatives from the carpenters’ union—were sent on his behalf. Community members have provided meals and financial aid.
“She is worried about him being in jail and she wants him to be home soon,” Donahue said of Liseth, who has only been able to speak with her husband through daily phone calls, according to the Observer-Reporter. Their daughter Kamila said, “I feel like it’s been more than a community, it’s like a family… we’re so grateful.”
A Call for Reform and Mercy
Donahue, who spent eight years in ministry in Mexico, believes the U.S. immigration system needs reform that upholds family unity. “We need some type of pathway here. Jesús is here because of the trauma in Venezuela… to put him in jail and separate him from his family isn’t the right option,” he said, according to the Observer-Reporter.
Chris McAneny of the Wellness Collective agreed: “Deporting Jesús doesn’t make this a safer place… He was contributing to his community, raising his family, paying taxes, and now he’s in a detention facility separated from his family,” according to the Observer-Reporter.
As parishioners and neighbors continue to pray, raise funds, and advocate for Terán’s release, they embody the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and protect the dignity of every family.
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