ICE Releases a Texas Nun Intercepted Walking to Church Dressed in Her Habit
Members of Congress intervened after the arrest, and Sister Leticia Ugboaja was released from immigration custody and returned home, officials said.
- On Sunday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Sister Leticia Ugboaja while she walked to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Sorrows Church and worked as a registered nurse at South Texas Health System.
- Parish officials publicized the arrest on Facebook shortly after, prompting Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-San Antonio, and Rep. Monica Cruz, R-Edinburg, to intervene with Department of Homeland Security officials.
- Following communications with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Tom Homan, the representatives secured Ugboaja's release Sunday night; she returned to her home on Monday.
- President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown at sensitive sites, including houses of worship, has prompted faith leaders to adjust their responses as church members fear attending services.
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ICE’s arrest of nun heading to church fuels bipartisan backlash in South Texas
SAN ANTONIO - Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja was walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, Texas, when federal immigration officers stopped her, confiscated her rosary and put her in handcuffs.
'Power of Prayer' Key to Sister's Release From ICE Detention
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, is pictured in an undated photo posted on Facebook by Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in McAllen, Texas. Sister Leticia was taken into custody June 28, 2026, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as she was walking to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and was released several hours later. (Photo: Our Lady of Sorrows Church Facebook, via OSV News) by Gina Christia…
ICE releases US-based Nigerian nun arrested while walking to church
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Nigerian nun, has been released by ICE after her arrest while walking to church in Texas. Learn more about Nun Ugboaja’s release. Read More: https://punchng.com/ice-releases-nun-ugboaja-arrested-while-walking-to-church-in-us/
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