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// DOSSIER — texas-nun-detained-ice-immigration-enforcement
Texas Nun Detained by ICE Speaks Out Against Aggressive Immigration Enforcement
REL_TIME: 24 Jul 2026 10:27Z · LANG: EN
Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a 56-year-old Catholic nun and registered nurse from Nigeria, spoke out publicly for the first time after being detained by ICE on June 28, 2026, while walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, Texas. Despite having legal protection from removal since 2019 due to the threat of torture in Nigeria, Ugboaja was arrested under the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown and slated for third-country removal. She was released after several hours following social media attention and congressional intervention. At a press conference, Ugboaja and her attorney highlighted the uncertainty faced by many others who comply with U.S. laws but remain vulnerable to detention.
// Background
Sister Leticia Ugboaja has lived in the U.S. working as a healthcare professional, including 10 years as a certified nursing assistant and currently as a registered nurse. In 2019, she was granted protection from removal to Nigeria under the Convention Against Torture. Her detention occurred amidst a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has utilized aggressive tactics and controversial third-country removal policies that face ongoing legal challenges from human rights groups.
// Key Developments
- Sister Leticia Ugboaja was detained by ICE on June 28, 2026, while walking to Sunday Mass in her habit in McAllen, Texas.
- She was released after several hours following social media advocacy by parish officials and intervention by members of Congress.
- In 2019, an immigration judge granted her protection from removal to Nigeria due to the likelihood of torture, though her asylum claim was denied.
- Her attorney stated that ICE planned to deport her to a third country under a controversial administration policy.
- Ugboaja is a registered nurse and a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy who has complied with all U.S. immigration requirements.
// Timeline
-
An immigration judge denies Ugboaja's asylum application but grants her protection from removal to Nigeria due to torture risks.
-
Ugboaja is detained by ICE officers while walking to Sunday Mass in McAllen, Texas, and is released hours later after public and congressional intervention.
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Ugboaja holds a press conference at Our Lady of Sorrows Church to speak out about her detention.
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Ugboaja is scheduled for a follow-up check-in appointment with ICE.
// Perspectives
[Sister Leticia Ugboaja and Attorney Carlos M. Garcia]
Argue that her detention was unjustified as she has complied with all legal requirements, holds work authorization, and has active protection from removal.
[Department of Homeland Security and ICE]
Declined to comment on the specific case, but defend third-country removal agreements as a tool to address immigration court backlogs.
[Faith Leaders and Diocese of Brownsville]
Express concern over aggressive ICE tactics near sensitive sites like churches, noting it has made some community members too afraid to attend services in person.
// Quotes
“Honestly, in that moment, I did not understand what was going on, what was happening to me.”
“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.”
“For me, a nun, not to go to Mass on Sunday, not to receive Communion, it was very, very heartbreaking for me.”
