McALLEN, Texas – A Roman Catholic nun in South Texas was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after being detained while walking to Sunday Mass, according to reports and church officials.
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, was reportedly walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen when she was stopped by ICE officers. The church later shared news of the detention on social media, drawing public attention and concern from faith leaders and elected officials.
The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville said Ugboaja serves as an extraordinary minister of holy communion at Our Lady of Sorrows. Diocese spokesperson Brenda Riojas also confirmed that Ugboaja is a registered nurse at South Texas Health System and previously worked for 10 years as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg.
According to the Associated Press report published by The Guardian, members of Congress from South Texas, including U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, intervened with federal officials after the detention became public. Ugboaja was released and returned home by Monday.
Church officials said they were grateful for the response from local representatives who contacted the Department of Homeland Security on her behalf.
The case has drawn attention because it involved a faith worker traveling to church near the U.S.-Mexico border during a period of heightened immigration enforcement. The detention also renewed broader questions about enforcement activity near houses of worship and other sensitive community spaces.
Federal immigration officials had not provided a public explanation for the detention in the initial report.
