Bipartisan Outcry Over Ice's Arrest of Texas Nun
WHO:
MS NOW - Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja is 56 years old and is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy.
ABC News - Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Catholic nun from Nigeria, was arrested.
MS NOW - Rep. Monica De La Cruz, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, and Rep. Joaquin Castro are involved in the response to the arrest.
WHAT:
MS NOW - Sister Ugboaja's rosary was taken by ICE agents during her arrest.
ABC News - Sister Leticia Ugboaja was detained by ICE agents while walking to mass.
MS NOW - Ugboaja was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and taken to a nearby detention facility.
MS NOW - Ugboaja was released on the same day of her arrest.
WHERE:
ABC News - The arrest occurred in McAllen, Texas, as Ugboaja was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
MS NOW - Ugboaja was taken to a detention facility in Raymondville, Texas.
WHEN:
MS NOW - The arrest occurred on a Sunday.
MS NOW - Ugboaja was released on the same Sunday evening.
WHY:
MS NOW - Rep. De La Cruz emphasized that immigration enforcement should target violent criminals, stating, “A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.”
MS NOW - Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern over the arrest, questioning why border officials are not focusing on real threats to public safety.
MS NOW - Rep. De La Cruz stated, “A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.”
HOW:
MS NOW - Rep. De La Cruz stated on X, “I have elevated this to the highest levels and will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
MS NOW - Cuellar communicated with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Tom Homan regarding Ugboaja's release.
MS NOW - Rep. De La Cruz communicated with DHS officials to gather details regarding Ugboaja's detainment.
MS NOW - Cuellar announced on social media that the order for Ugboaja's release was given, allowing her to return home earlier than expected.
(UPDATED July 2, 2026 08:04 UTC)
Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja, a 56-year-old member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, had her rosary taken by ICE agents during her arrest. Representative De La Cruz has elevated the matter to the highest levels and is working with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Tom Homan to secure Ugboaja's release. Emphasizing the need for focused immigration enforcement, De La Cruz stated, “A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.”
--
(UPDATED July 2, 2026 06:22 UTC)
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Catholic nun from Nigeria, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in McAllen, Texas, while she was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Lawmakers, including Rep. Monica De La Cruz, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, expressed their concerns over the arrest, emphasizing that a nun on her way to church is not a threat to the community. Fortunately, Ugboaja was released from a nearby detention facility on the same Sunday evening of her arrest after officials communicated her situation and ordered her return home.