Key facts
- A nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in McAllen, Texas.
- Ugboaja was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church when she was detained.
- Congressional representatives intervened on her behalf.
- She was released from custody and has returned to her home.
A nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after being detained by officers while walking to Mass in McAllen, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border. The incident occurred on Sunday as Ugboaja was en route to Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
Following her detention, parish officials posted a message on social media that garnered significant media attention. This led to intervention from members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz, on Ugboaja's behalf. Ugboaja is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, volunteers as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and is a registered nurse at South Texas Health System.
By Monday, Ugboaja had been released and returned to her home. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Brownsville expressed gratitude for the swift response of local representatives in securing her release. The report also notes that President Donald Trump's immigration policies, including enforcement at sensitive sites like places of worship, have caused fear among some church members, leading some to attend services online or rely on community assistance for errands.