houstonchron A Houston Seventh-day Adventist pastor detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement was living in the U.S. illegally after his protected status was revoked last year, a spokesperson for ICE told the Houston Chronicle. ⁠ ⁠ ICE agents detained Pastor Luis Morales Pérez of Venezuela on Aug. 6, according to the agency. The father of two was traveling at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with his wife.⁠ ⁠ The Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists posted on Facebook Wednesday that it was "saddened" to learn of Morales’ detainment. The conference said he oversees four churches in the Houston area and holds valid employment authorization. ⁠ ⁠ “His commitment to our mission and the families he serves is unwavering,” the statement said. Church leaders invited congregants to pray for Morales and his family so "that the situation may be resolved quickly."⁠ ⁠ Click the link in our bio to read more.⁠ ⁠ 📝: Adrian Ashford, Julián Aguilar / reporters⁠ 📸: Jarrod Wardwell / reporter View all 103 comments