US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a Roman Catholic nun after arresting her while she walked to mass in her religious habit in south Texas, diocese officials said. Sister Leticia Ugboaja was detained by ICE officers on Sunday as she walked to Our Lady of Sorrows church in McAllen, Texas, just a few miles from the US-Mexico border, according to a church statement on social media.
Congressional Intervention Secures Release
The church's social media post about her arrest quickly gained traction, prompting members of Congress to intervene on her behalf. Among those who acted was US House member Monica de la Cruz, a south Texas Republican. As of Monday, after De la Cruz and other House members from south Texas contacted federal officials, Ugboaja was back in her home.
“We are grateful for the quick response of local representatives who reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to get her released from custody,” said Brenda Riojas, a spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have not responded to requests for comment since Sunday.
Nun's Background and Role
Sister Leticia Ugboaja is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and volunteered as an extraordinary minister of holy communion at Our Lady of Sorrows, Riojas confirmed. She is also a registered nurse at South Texas Health System and previously worked for 10 years as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg, Texas.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Impact
The immigration crackdown carried out by Donald Trump's administration during his second presidency, including at sensitive sites such as houses of worship, has prompted faith leaders to adjust their response. Some church members have become too afraid to attend services. In response, some congregations have encouraged online attendance, while others offer help with errands like grocery shopping for people too fearful to leave their homes.
