Overview
- Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as she walked to Our Lady of Sorrows for Sunday Mass in McAllen and was released later that day after South Texas members of Congress intervened.
- The Diocese of Brownsville and Bishop Daniel E. Flores called the arrest “wildly disturbing” and are gathering information about why federal agents detained a religious sister who lives a block from the church.
- Multiple outlets report the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to media requests for an explanation, leaving operational details of the detention unconfirmed.
- Diocese representatives say Ugboaja was moved toward an ICE facility, needed medication while in custody that she was not allowed to access, and left the detention center in tears before a reunion with clergy.
- Faith leaders, civil-rights groups and local politicians are demanding an investigation and changes to enforcement protocols at sensitive sites while the diocese asks international sisters to carry proof of status when offsite.