Nun detained by ICE speaks out: 'Being unable to attend Mass broke my heart'
Sister Leticia shares her story for the first time after immigration custody ordeal.
1Terrifying moments
Sister Leticia Ugboaja describes being approached by armed officers while walking to Sunday Mass, carrying only her rosary and phone. The shock of this unexpected detention marked the traumatic beginning of her custody ordeal near the U.S.-Mexico border.
2Legal status complexity
Ugboaja's attorney explains she had long held protection from removal to Nigeria due to torture risks, despite a 2019 denied asylum claim. Her June detention occurred despite this protected status, highlighting inconsistencies in immigration enforcement.
3Community response
When news of the nun's detention spread through social media posts by parish officials, congressional representatives intervened. The incident revived debates about Trump administration's third-country removal policies and aggressive immigration tactics.
4Human dimension
As both a nun and registered nurse, Ugboaja has served her community through the Daughters of Mary and South Texas Health System. She describes being denied Communion as 'heartbreaking,' emphasizing the spiritual impact of her detention.
5Systemic critique
Attorney Carlos Garcia notes his client complied with all requirements yet faced uncertainty. He criticizes third-country removal agreements, while highlighting DHS's silence on this case despite legal and humanitarian concerns raised by advocacy groups.
6Breaking silence
Sister Leticia aims to spotlight systemic issues by sharing her experience. 'Many follow every rule yet live in fear,' she states, determined to advocate for due process and humane treatment in immigration procedures affecting vulnerable populations.