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A Nigerian Catholic nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, has been released from the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after she was detained while walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse at South Texas Health System, was arrested on June 28, 2026, while on her way to Our Lady of Sorrows Church, an incident that quickly drew widespread public attention and concern.
The arrest prompted swift intervention from local church leaders and bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress, including Representative Monica De La Cruz and Representative Henry Cuellar, who contacted federal authorities to seek her release. Following the intervention, ICE released the nun later the same day, and she safely returned home. The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their prompt efforts, while supporters praised Ugboaja for her years of service to both the church and the local healthcare community.
The incident has reignited debate over the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement, particularly operations carried out near places of worship and other sensitive locations. Faith leaders and immigration advocates have raised concerns that such actions could discourage immigrants from attending religious services or seeking community support, while U.S. immigration authorities have yet to publicly explain the specific circumstances surrounding Sister Ugboaja’s detention.
