ICE Detains Brooklyn Deacon During Immigration Raid: Report

BROOKLYN, NY — ICE agents detained a Brooklyn church deacon this week, sparking outrage and questions from the local congregation.

Early Thursday, Sebastian Renoj Ordoñez, a longtime leader at Jovenes Cristianos on Bay Ridge Parkway, was taken into custody by ICE as he stepped out of his home, officials and reports said.

Originally from Guatemala, Ordoñez has been part of the Bensonhurst community for nearly 20 years, CBS News reported.

Community leaders say they are demanding answers, as his detention comes amid a surge in ICE activity across the area.

"We keep being told this is public safety but how is my community safer now that an innocent deacon was detained? This is horrible. We can’t allow this," Councilwoman Susan Zhuang, who represents the district, said.

Last week, Zhuang also joined community members in urging federal officials to halt immigration enforcement and called for Ordoñez to be released from custody.

Patch has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment but has not yet received a response.

The detention follows a recent case in which a City Council employee was taken by federal immigration officials during a routine appointment, despite having legal authorization to remain in the U.S. until October.

"Across the nation, we have seen aggressive escalations by ICE that raise serious concerns on the use of excessive force and a lack of accountability," New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said. "As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor."