Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a nun and member of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being detained while walking to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas.
Background
Ugboaja, a registered nurse at South Texas Health System, was intercepted by ICE officers on Sunday while walking to church in her habit. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to requests for comment.
Parish officials posted a message on social media after the arrest, which gained traction and prompted intervention from members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz. Ugboaja is also a volunteer Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
As a result of the intervention, Ugboaja was released from custody on Monday and returned home. The Diocese of Brownsville expressed gratitude for the quick response of local representatives who reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to secure her release.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
