Brownsville Diocese seeks answers after ICE detained a Nigerian nun on her way to Mass in McAllen, sparking outrage and calls for reform.
Newsroom (02/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville is seeking answers following the detention of a Nigerian nun by federal immigration agents while she was walking to church in McAllen on Sunday, an incident that has sparked widespread criticism from religious leaders, lawmakers, and civil rights advocates.
Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja, a 56-year-old member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse who has served in South Texas for approximately a decade, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials before she could attend Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. She was later released after intervention from members of Congress representing South Texas.
The circumstances surrounding the detention have prompted strong condemnation from the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville. In a statement, Bishop Daniel E. Flores said the diocese is still attempting to determine exactly what happened.
“There are many questions remaining about the circumstances surrounding Sister Letty’s arrest and detention,” Flores said. “For now, it is clear that Homeland Security enforcement protocols that make it possible for a religious sister, or anyone, to be detained and handcuffed while peacefully walking to Church on a Sunday morning are wildly disturbing and need to be reformed.”
Detained on a Short Walk to Mass
According to Sister Norma Pimentel, who oversees the diocese’s charitable ministries, Ugboaja was taking a brief walk to church Sunday morning. The nun lives roughly one block from Our Lady of Sorrows and was heading to Mass when federal immigration agents stopped and detained her.
While in custody, Ugboaja contacted church officials seeking help. Pimentel said the nun informed them she was being transferred to the ICE detention facility in Raymondville, located about an hour from McAllen.
Pimentel also said Ugboaja required medication but was not allowed to retrieve it while in federal custody.
“She was very distraught and scared, and didn’t understand what was happening,” Pimentel said.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to questions regarding the detention, leaving key details about the basis for the arrest unanswered.
Political Leaders Intervene
As news of the detention spread across South Texas, elected officials from both political parties became involved in efforts to secure Ugboaja’s release.
Republican U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz of Edinburg and Democratic U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar of Laredo publicly stated they were communicating directly with federal officials about the situation.
De La Cruz emphasized that immigration enforcement should prioritize individuals who pose a public safety threat.
“As I have repeatedly said, our immigration enforcement should target violent criminals,” she said. “A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.”
Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen also criticized the detention. Bobby Pulido, a Democratic candidate challenging De La Cruz, condemned both the arrest and the broader immigration policies he argued contributed to fear within local communities.
The intervention by lawmakers proved successful. By late Sunday afternoon, officials announced that Ugboaja would be released.
“I’m pleased to share that Sister Letty is on her way home,” Cuellar wrote in a social media post.
Emotional Reunion After Release
Following confirmation of the release, Pimentel immediately shifted her focus from gathering documentation regarding Ugboaja’s legal status to traveling to the El Valle Detention Facility to welcome the nun home.
In a text message sent shortly before Ugboaja’s release, Pimentel expressed relief and gratitude, writing, “Yes praise God.”
Television footage later showed an emotional scene outside the detention center. Ugboaja emerged from the facility in tears before embracing Pimentel.
The diocese has since said Ugboaja will not be giving interviews on the advice of legal counsel, according to diocesan spokesperson Brenda Riojas.
Broader Concerns Over Immigration Enforcement
The incident has renewed concerns about immigration enforcement practices in South Texas, particularly regarding individuals with deep community ties and no apparent public safety concerns.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s largest Latino civil rights organization, has called for an investigation into the detention.
For Pimentel, the incident marked a significant shift in how the diocese approaches documentation for international religious workers. She said there had previously been little concern regarding the immigration status of international nuns serving within the diocese.
Ugboaja’s detention changed that outlook.
“I will definitely ask all the sisters to please give me a copy of their documents and to carry something with them all the time,” Pimentel said.
The case has also become a point of political debate. Julio Salinas, co-chair of the Texas Democratic Party’s Hispanic Caucus and a candidate for the Texas Legislature, described the incident as evidence of broader anxieties surrounding immigration enforcement.
“This is a stark wake-up call for all of us,” Salinas said in a statement. “It proves one harrowing truth: even the best of us are not safe.”
As the Diocese of Brownsville continues seeking answers, questions remain about why Sister Ugboaja was detained, what procedures were followed by federal agents, and whether changes to enforcement protocols will follow. For church leaders and advocates, the incident has become a powerful symbol of concerns surrounding immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from USA Today
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