In the small town of Gordon, Texas, about 70 miles west of Fort Worth, Pastor Albert Oliveira is preparing to leave the country and his congregation behind. Like many other foreign-born religious leaders across the United States, a visa backlog has forced him to make the difficult decision to self-deport.

After two years of effort and legal fees, trying to figure out a way to stay in the country, Oliveira, his wife and young son have booked a November flight to Brazil.

"I was in denial for a long time," Oliveira said. "Personally, we feel scammed."

Not only is his upcoming departure a disruption to Oliveira's life, but it's also a blow to his congregation.

"When you live in a very small community as this is, it's very difficult to get a pastor to come out to relocate," said Rebecca Sue

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