Pastor detained by ICE while helping congregation member, daughter disputes visa overstay claim
Apr 23, 2026·Location: Portland, ME
Country of origin: Angola
Rufino Beca, a 59-year-old pastor from Angola who arrived in the U.S. in 2017, was detained by ICE agents on April 20, 2026, outside a store on St. John's Street in Portland, Maine. Beca leads two Assembly of God congregations in Biddeford and Portland. He was apprehended while collecting funds to help another congregation member held in immigration custody. DHS stated he overstayed a six-month tourist visa. His daughter disputes this claim, stating he is an asylum seeker with no criminal record. Beca remains held at Strafford County Jail in Dover, New Hampshire.
Timeline
Sources
- Support Families Impacted by ICE | Project Relief (Powered by Donorbox)
- Financial Aid - PROJECT: VetRelief
projectvetrelief.org·Feb 10, 2026·archived copy
- In-State Unity Ride - PROJECT: VetRelief
projectvetrelief.org·Mar 3, 2026·archived copy
- Southern Maine pastor detained by ICE, leaving a hole in his church community
pressherald.com·Apr 23, 2026·archived copy
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