Francisco Lopez, a Phoenix pastor, faces ongoing legal and personal challenges after a contested ICE detainment, raising questions about immigration enforcement. PHOENIX — A Phoenix church pastor is out of ICE custody after more than five months behind bars. His ordeal is putting a spotlight on the costs versus the benefits of immigration enforcement operations happening across the Valley. Pulled over after he obtained work permit Francisco Lopez believed he was right with the law when he applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted legal protection status. He had a driver's license and work permit good through 2030. Lopez had arrived in the U.S. in 1999 illegally. For more than two decades, he worked as a mechanic and church pastor and opened his own brick-and-mortar church, Ministerio Christiano in 2017. "I am here to build the community," Lopez told 12News during a recent interview. In August of last year, federal immigration agents pulled him over. “I said I have permission to work here," Lopez said. "I showed them my documents. They said you have permission to work here, but you don’t have permission to live here." Federal agents sent Lopez to Eloy, where he alleges enduring tough conditions. His drinking water came from a bathroom sink and he lacked medical care for spider bite infections. He lost 53 pounds. "They treat a dog better than humans," Lopez said. 4,400 unlawful detainments in the U.S. In January, a federal judge ordered Lopez be released on a $5,000 bond. “This guy is very well involved in the church, well-known in his community, a good family man," said Sheree Wright, Phoenix immigration attorney at IBF Law Group, who represents Lopez. "They focused on him and he’s not a criminal. He never should have been detained.” A Reuters analysis found hundreds of judges across the U.S. have made 4,400 Rulings of unlawful detainments by ICE since October. Based on daily averages, Lopez's detainment cost taxpayers more than $23,000. "It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money and it’s a waste of resources," Wright said. ICE defends detainment decisions to Congress Last week, federal leaders defended their decisions to Congress, saying Customers and Border Protection "has spent the last year rebuilding what was an intentionally broken border.” “You won’t see ICE agents rolling through parking lots just snatching someone up. ICE does intelligence-driven, law enforcement operations," said Todd Lyons, Acting Director of ICE. Asked if he understands why many Americans believe he should pay a consequence for crossing the border in 1999, Lopez said it was a civil offense.' "I know somebody says that you are criminal. I respect his point," said Lopez, adding in Spanish, "Los hechos hablan." In other words, he says, his works speak for themselves. Other costs to ICE detainment There are other costs for detainment of immigrants. For more than five months, Francisco could not care for an American-born foster teen he and his wife have state-authorized guardianship to raise. The boy’s mother died when he was one year old and the couple cared for him on-and-off since. Lopez's ability to make a living is also now more complicated. “They took his employment authorization card and his driver’s license. He still has his proceedings pending and they hold on to his documentation until the end, until it’s finalized and they make a decision," Wright said. Lopez can reapply for documents, but Wright said it's costly and there is no certainty he will get them. For now, Lopez only has copies of documents and the license ICE now holds. "I ask to the ICE guy, what to do if someone pulls me over again? And he said, 'Don't break the law and they won't pull you over.' I said, I didn't break the law and they pulled me over," Lopez said. In the meantime, Lopez has a hold status on his legal record, and he must wait for a new court hearing. There is such a backlog, Wright said, that a hearing may not happen for up to four years. Watch 12News for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. 12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.