Texas Assemblies of God Pastors Report Threats by Immigration Agents During Billy Graham Event Travel
Several Texas Assemblies of God pastors say immigration agents mocked them and threatened family separation while they were traveling to a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association event. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from religious liberty advocates.
A group of Texas Assemblies of God pastors say they were stopped, mocked, and threatened with family separation by immigration agents while traveling to a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association event, according to reports published in early August 2026.
The pastors, who are U.S. citizens and legal residents, said agents questioned them at length and made comments they described as demeaning. Several said agents implied their families could be separated if they did not cooperate fully.
The Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States, has not yet issued a formal statement. Individual pastors have spoken to Christian media outlets about the experience.
Religious liberty organizations have called for an investigation. The Alliance Defending Freedom and the National Association of Evangelicals both said the reported conduct, if accurate, raises serious constitutional concerns.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association confirmed the pastors were traveling to one of its events but declined to comment further on the incident.
Immigration enforcement has been a flashpoint for faith communities across the country. Many churches have declared themselves sanctuaries, and pastors have increasingly spoken out about enforcement actions they say target their congregations.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
The incident comes as Congress debates immigration legislation that would affect millions of people with ties to faith communities.
