Key facts
- A nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas.
- Ugboaja was arrested while walking to church and was released several hours later.
- She has protection from removal from the U.S. due to a risk of torture in her home country of Nigeria.
- Her attorney stated she had complied with all legal requirements and had permission to work.
- Ugboaja spoke at a news conference to advocate for others in similar immigration situations.
A Nigerian nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while walking to Mass in Texas, has spoken out about her experience. At a news conference, Ugboaja stated that many others are in similar situations, facing uncertainty despite having legal protections and following all required rules. She was arrested on June 28 while walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen and was released several hours later after congressional intervention. Her attorney, Carlos Garcia, explained that an immigration judge denied her asylum application in 2019 but granted her protection from removal due to the likelihood of torture in Nigeria. Garcia emphasized that Ugboaja has complied with all requirements and had permission to work in the U.S. He also noted that ICE indicated plans to remove her to a third country. Lawyers and human rights groups have criticized such third-country removal policies. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ugboaja is scheduled for an ICE check-in next week. She is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, volunteers as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and works as a registered nurse. The incident has prompted faith leaders to adjust their responses to congregants fearful of attending services due to immigration crackdowns.