Adolfo G.: Texas pastor shoved by ICE while driving daughters to school, deported
Adolfo Gutiérrez, a volunteer pastor and father of three who led a Texas church and ran a remodeling business, was detained while driving his daughters to school and later deported after 15 years in the state.
Apr 4, 2025TX

Adolfo Gutiérrez, an undocumented volunteer pastor who led the Spanish-speaking Casa Firme church in south Texas and ran a home remodeling business, was detained by ICE agents on March 18, 2025 while driving his daughters to school. His daughter Alondra said agents slammed him against his car door and took him away in a van without explanation. Gutiérrez, who had lived in Texas more than 15 years and was a father of three, was held at the El Valle Detention Facility near the border. His wife started a GoFundMe to cover attorney fees, and his church held a fundraiser for his legal expenses as family, church members, and business clients rallied support. His family said he 'pays taxes and works hard.' He was later deported, and his case was identified in a Newsweek analysis of at least 65 faith leaders detained by U.S. immigration authorities since January 2025.
“This man has unbelievable faith and has changed so much of my perspective in life,”
“We believe that we all deserve a fair opportunity to fight for a better future with the help of God,”
Timeline
Tags
Sources
- Exclusive: ICE detains dozens of faith leaders under Trump’s crackdown
Newsweek·Oct 11, 2026·archived copy
- Texas pastor detained by ICE while dropping daughter to school, family says
Newsweek·Apr 3, 2025
- Family of Texas Pastor Who Was Detained by ICE Clings to Hope in God
Church Leaders·Apr 3, 2025
- ICE detiene a un pastor latino en Texas mientras llevaba a su hija al colegio y ahora enfrenta deportación
La República·Apr 17, 2025
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