U.S. Immigration Rule Change Allows Brazilian Pastor to Return to Texas

Brazilian pastor Albert Oliveira has resumed his ministry at First Baptist Church of Gordon in Texas following a shift in U.S. immigration policy. Oliveira had departed the country in late 2025 to comply with visa regulations, but returned this past April after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) eliminated a mandatory one-year waiting period for religious workers seeking readmission.

The policy change, which took effect in January 2026, allows clergy who have reached the five-year maximum stay on an R-1 visa to reapply for status without spending time abroad. DHS officials stated the adjustment aims to minimize disruptions to congregations, noting that religious leaders are vital to the nation's social and moral fabric. The rule was implemented in alignment with a February 2025 executive order establishing a White House Faith Office.

While the amendment facilitates the return of religious workers, Oliveira noted that it does not address the broader issue of backlogs in the EB-4 immigrant visa category. Many religious workers rely on this category for permanent residency, but high demand and processing delays often force them to exhaust their temporary visa limits before obtaining permanent status.