The Iowa City pastor who was deported by immigration officials last week spoke to the media after arriving in his native Honduras. Max Villatoro’ story was featured on the Spanish-language network Univision.
The case has drawn national attention as U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement arrested Villatoro on March 3 because of 1999 convictions for drunk driving and tampering with records.
Since 1999, Villatoro married his wife, Gloria, fathered four children, and became pastor of a Spanish-speaking Mennonite church in Iowa City. The 41-year-old Villatoro told Univision he doesn’t believe he should be treated like a criminal.
Villatoro said he’s hoping President Obama might help him return to Iowa and be reunited with his family.