Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Catholic nun, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody Thursday after being detained in Texas [2].

The incident highlights the volatility of immigration enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley and the role of legislative intervention in securing the release of non-citizens.

Ugboaja was taken into custody in June 2026 [1] while walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, Texas [2]. At the time of her arrest, she was wearing her religious habit [3]. Officials said she was in the United States without legal immigration status [5].

Her release followed efforts from members of Congress. Rep. Monica De La Cruz said she worked to get the nun released [4].

Following her release, Ugboaja spoke about the broader implications of her detention. She said many people are in her situation, and that some have followed every rule but are still being detained [1].

Ugboaja called for a change in how the government handles these cases. She said the need is to ensure people have a chance to be heard before being taken into custody [3].

The detention of a member of a religious order in full habit drew significant attention to the enforcement tactics used by ICE in the border region. While Ugboaja has been released, she continues to advocate for those remaining in the immigration system.

“Many of us followed every rule, but we are still being detained.”

This case underscores the tension between strict immigration enforcement and the humanitarian considerations often requested by religious and political leaders. The fact that a congressional office was required to intervene suggests that standard administrative channels may be insufficient for individuals without legal status, regardless of their community standing or religious vocation.