Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Nigerian Catholic nun, has regained her freedom following her detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Her arrest occurred as she traveled to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas.
News of the detention spread quickly after the church shared the incident on social media. This prompted immediate action from several US lawmakers, including Representative Monica De La Cruz. While the Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not issue public comments regarding the situation, the nun was released on Monday.
Brenda Riojas, a representative for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, stated that Sister Ugboaja belongs to the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy. She serves the church as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and is employed as a registered nurse within the South Texas Health System. Previously, she spent ten years working as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health.
Church officials expressed appreciation for the legislative intervention that secured her return home. This event coincides with a period of stricter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. Increased scrutiny of sensitive areas, including houses of worship, has caused anxiety among many immigrants, leading some religious leaders to offer digital services or alternative support systems for those afraid to leave their homes.
