Brazilian pastor returns to Texas church following visa rule change

Albert Oliveira, a Brazilian pastor, has returned to his position at the First Baptist Church of Gordon in Texas following a change in U.S. immigration regulations. Oliveira had previously left the United States in late 2025 after his R-1 religious worker visa was set to expire, as he awaited a green card through the EB-4 visa process.

A rule change implemented in January allows R-1 visa holders to reapply for their religious worker visas immediately after their previous visa expires, rather than being required to remain outside the country for a full year. This adjustment affects approximately 19,000 religious workers currently in the U.S.

While Oliveira expressed gratitude for the change, he advocated for broader immigration reform. He stated that churches should have the ability to retain foreign-born ministers without being hindered by extensive bureaucracy, emphasizing that such flexibility is a matter of religious liberty.