A nun from Texas has shared her distressing experience after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on her way to Sunday Mass. Sister Leticia Ugboaja, 56, described the incident, which occurred in late June, as both frightening and disheartening, particularly because it disrupted her religious observance.
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On June 28, Sister Ugboaja was dressed in her religious habit and headed to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas. She carried only a rosary and her mobile phone when she was approached by two armed ICE officers. Reflecting on the incident during a press conference held on July 24, she expressed her confusion and distress. “Honestly, in that moment, I did not understand what was going on, what was happening to me,” she said, visibly distressed.
The abrupt nature of her detention caused considerable emotional turmoil for Sister Ugboaja. She remarked, “For me, a nun, not to go to Mass on Sunday, not to receive Communion, it was very, very heartbreaking for me.” Her harrowing experience not only affected her personal faith but also highlighted ongoing issues faced by others with legal protections living in fear of similar actions.
Sister Ugboaja has long resided in the United States under protections that shield her from deportation to Nigeria, her country of origin. A ruling from an immigration judge determined that she would likely face torture if returned to Nigeria, thus granting her asylum-like protections despite a denial of her application in 2019. Her continued compliance with immigration regulations allowed her to maintain work authorisation and contribute to her community both as a nun and a registered nurse.
The details surrounding her arrest remain unclear, as ICE provided minimal explanation. However, her attorney indicated that the agency suggested an intention to transfer her to a third country rather than Nigeria, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in the immigration enforcement process.
Following widespread outrage regarding her detention, Sister Ugboaja was released the same day after church leaders and local politicians, including members of Congress, intervened on her behalf. Their collective efforts to publicise her situation highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by individuals in similar circumstances, many of whom abide by legal regulations yet still confront intense uncertainty regarding their futures.
In the wake of her release, Sister Ugboaja has vocalised her concern for others who find themselves in precarious positions within the immigration system. “There are many others in this same situation, people who have been given some form of protection under our laws, who have followed every rule asked of them, and who still live with uncertainty,” she asserted, signalling a call for broader awareness and reform in immigration policies.
Sister Ugboaja is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and has faithfully served her congregation and community, also acting as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at her church. Her commitment to both her religious vocation and her professional role in healthcare underscores the complexity of her situation and the importance of her continued presence in the community.
This incident has amplified discussions surrounding the treatment of religious leaders and those under legal protection throughout the United States. As Sister Ugboaja continues to process her experience, her testimony serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between immigration enforcement and individual rights, as well as the deep emotional and spiritual impacts of such encounters.
As public and political attention remains focused on immigration issues, Sister Ugboaja’s case represents not just her personal struggle but the broader fight for justice faced by many in similar situations.