Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja a 56-year-old Nigerian-born Roman Catholic nun, was detained by ICE on June 28, 2026, in McAllen, Texas, as she walked to Our Lady of Sorrows Church and was released the same day after congressional outreach. The stop a short distance from the parish drew rapid, bipartisan criticism and renewed scrutiny of enforcement near sensitive locations. Last updated: July 2, 2026.
The case mattered because it touched on the priorities of immigration enforcement and the discretion used in encounters involving people who pose no apparent public-safety risk. Faith leaders and community advocates said the detention intensified fear among parishioners and raised questions about protocols that guide stops and custody decisions near houses of worship. Diocesan officials said they were gathering facts and advising parish communities while seeking clarity from federal leadership on how front-line determinations are made.
Timeline and rapid release after congressional outreach
Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, was stopped a block from Our Lady of Sorrows and taken to a nearby detention facility, where agents confiscated her rosary and did not allow access to her medication, according to diocesan accounts. U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar contacted Department of Homeland Security leadership, including Secretary Markwayne Mullin and signaled that enforcement should focus on violent offenders rather than individuals like Ugboaja. Footage later showed the sister leaving the El Valle detention facility in Raymondville and reuniting with Sister Norma Pimentel the same evening.
De La Cruz publicly stated, “As I have repeatedly said, our immigration enforcement should target violent criminals. A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.” Cuellar said he had spoken with DHS leadership as he sought clarity on the stop and the decision-making that followed, and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez also questioned the prioritization. Candidate Bobby Pulido criticized the detention, while local advocates noted that South Texas lawmakers have intervened in past cases to help obtain timely reviews and releases.
Lawmakers and diocesan reactions in South Texas
The Diocese of Brownsville described the action near a church as ‘wildly disturbing’ and said it was seeking a formal explanation from federal authorities. Diocesan spokesperson Brenda Riojas thanked local representatives for the quick response and said the diocese would continue pressing for details about the circumstances and decision process. Civil rights groups, including LULAC demanded a formal accounting of the stop and called for safeguards to prevent similar incidents, arguing that Ugboaja’s release did not resolve the underlying concerns.
Online discussion intensified around race and enforcement patterns after the case, as Ugboaja is a Black woman from Nigeria detained in a region where enforcement has largely targeted Latino residents. Critics asked why a Nigerian-born nun in full habit was stopped at all and whether existing Homeland Security protocols adequately account for context and public-safety prioritization. Lawmakers and diocesan leaders said they were monitoring for additional information that could inform operational guidance or policy adjustments.
Sensitive locations, community response, and precautions
Faith leaders reported that some parishioners became reluctant to attend services in person, linking the anxiety to a broader immigration crackdown and the potential for encounters with federal agents near sensitive sites. Some parishes encouraged online attendance and organized assistance with errands such as grocery shopping for those fearful of leaving home. Sister Norma Pimentel said Ugboaja phoned from custody distressed and confused, reinforcing concerns about access to essentials during short-term detention and the need for clear, humane procedures.
In response, diocesan leaders began ensuring that international sisters have their documents in order and carry them at all times, while continuing to gather facts about the stop. Community advocates renewed calls for written guidance that emphasizes public safety and front-line discretion, particularly around churches and other locations historically treated with heightened care. Lawmakers reiterated their expectation that limited enforcement resources be directed at violent offenders and high-priority cases.
The sister’s role in health care and parish life
Ugboaja is a registered nurse with experience at South Texas Health System and previously served for a decade as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg, according to parish and diocesan accounts. She volunteers as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows, underscoring her integration into parish life and the wider McAllen community. Her congregation, the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy continues to support her while coordinating with diocesan leadership as questions persist about the stop and its implications.
Local leaders said the episode has become a touchpoint in discussions about community trust enforcement priorities, and the operational boundaries that guide stops near churches. Lawmakers and diocesan officials said they remain engaged with DHS leadership, seeking clarification on the parameters that inform similar encounters and any potential adjustments to protocol. Officials indicated that updates would be shared as additional details are confirmed.
