Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a dedicated Nigerian nun of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM), who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 28, 2026, has been released.
As she made her way to Mass, clad in her distinctive religious habit, she was unexpectedly apprehended by ICE agents of U.S. in McAllen, Texas, a city close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The arrest occurred on a calm Sunday morning, a time when Sister Leticia typically dedicated herself to prayer and community service.
ICE agents detained her near the border, prompting a swift response from a coalition of South Texas lawmakers who were alarmed by the incident.
Recognizing the potential injustice of her situation, they sprang into action to advocate for her release. Among those who rallied to her aid were prominent U.S. Representatives Monica de la Cruz, Vicente Gonzalez, and Henry Cuellar.
They swiftly contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to express their concerns over Sister Leticia’s arrest.
Rep. Cuellar, in particular, took the initiative to speak directly with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and border czar Tom Homan, emphasizing the importance of the nun’s work and her service to the community.
Thanks to their determined efforts, Sister Leticia was released later that evening, just as the sun began to set.
The incident drew significant attention and sparked widespread criticism from both Democratic and Republican politicians in the border region, who were united in their disapproval of the arrest.
In addition to her selfless volunteering at her parish, Sister Leticia proudly serves as a registered nurse at the South Texas Health System, demonstrating her deep commitment to caring for others in her community.
