A Catholic nun arrested by immigration officers while walking to Sunday Mass in South Texas has been released after a swift intervention by members of Congress.
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, known as Sister Letty, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as she walked to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, near the US Mexico border, on Sunday. She spent about nine hours in custody before being released later that evening following pressure from elected officials and widespread public concern.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not publicly explained why Sister Letty was detained.
Her arrest sparked an outpouring of support after Our Lady of Sorrows Church urged parishioners to pray for her safe return. The case quickly drew the attention of South Texas lawmakers, including Representative Monica De La Cruz and Representative Henry Cuellar, who contacted federal officials to secure her release.
The parish later confirmed she had been freed, posting that she would soon be back home. The Diocese of Brownsville also thanked local representatives for acting quickly to secure her release.
Sister Letty is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the church. She is also a registered nurse at South Texas Health System and previously worked for a decade as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg.
The incident has renewed debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, particularly after the administration lifted long standing restrictions on immigration arrests at sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals. Faith leaders along the border have warned that tougher enforcement has left some worshippers too afraid to attend religious services.
