This isn’t about border security. It isn’t about public safety. It’s about a human tragedy, one that has torn apart a hard-working family of faith and shaken the conscience of a town still mourning the loss of one of its own.
On July 2, Easton High School filled with mourners to honor the life of 18-year-old Darren Thomas Foxwell, son of former Deputy Comptroller and Johns Hopkins professor Len Foxwell. Darren’s death in a car accident on June 18 left a void in Talbot County’s civic and spiritual life. Among those who rose to meet the moment was Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal, who delivered a heartfelt tribute to the young man he had watched grow up alongside his own son, Daniel.
Pastor Espinal has served as the spiritual leader of Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama since 2015. He has lived in the United States for 24 years, raised three children, and has no criminal record. His ministry is rooted in grace, humility, and the teachings of Christ. His sermons, often referencing the prodigal son, the moral law, and the redemptive power of Jesus, have guided Easton’s Hispanic community through hardship and renewal.
Now, he sits on a concrete floor in a detention center.
His son Daniel was at Shock Trauma the day Darren died, saying goodbye to his friend. And just weeks later, Pastor Espinal stood before hundreds to offer comfort, not only to the Foxwell family but to a community in mourning. His presence beside Rabbi Peter Hyman at the funeral was a quiet act of unity—bridging racial, generational, and religious divides.
Professor Foxwell, known for his strategic brilliance and sharp political instincts, offered a rare glimpse into his personal grief and moral clarity:
“If there is anyone who exemplifies the teachings of Christ and the true values of the Christian faith, it is Pastor Espinal. I'd like to think that our leaders from both parties can agree that this man does not belong on a concrete floor in a detention center, but rather needs to be back home with his loving family.”
This is not a story about immigration policy. It’s a story about dignity. About a man who has given so much to others, spiritually, emotionally, and civically, and who now finds himself separated from the very community he helped heal.
This is an outrage! I would like to hear any ideas on how we can support this man and his family, also any suggestions for positive actions we can take in the face of what shall we call it, his “kidnapping”? I cannot conceive of Mr. Espinal, and so many like him, being considered a criminal and treated as such.