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Facing deportation, Nigerian nun in south Texas speaks out

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

Sister Leticia Ugboaja, the Catholic nun and nurse who was briefly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in south Texas in June, made her first public remarks after what she described as weeks of “stress, anxiety, and fear.”

At a July 23 press conference , she said she is still afraid of what may yet happen to her but is trusting in God.

“I was very much afraid, with cold sweat,” she said of her detainment by ICE officers as she walked to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, on June 28. “I did not expect [it]; on an ordinary Sunday morning, when people should be ready to go to Mass to worship the Lord, on the street here, just in front of the school, where I have walked … a countless number of times.”

“I will not pretend it did not hurt and it’s hurting me today,” she said, describing the two ICE agents as “armed, and Iʼm just a small woman, a nun, armless, with just my rosary, my key, and my phone.”

Though she felt afraid and hurt, she said she has been trusting in God, quoting Jesus’ admonition to “not be afraid, because I am with you always.”

Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse at…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Петар Илиевски

How terrible it is when a little sister with a rosary and a key in her hand is stopped by armed agents in front of the church, right on her way to Liturgy. I hope they leave her alone to be cared for by the sick in Texas and not send her back. Pray for us, Sister Letizia.

Светлана Киселёва

Людмила Новикова

It's a shame that this happens right in front of a school near a church in McAllen. A little nun with a rosary and a key goes to a regular Sunday mass, and she is stopped by armed agents. I hope they will leave her alone, she is a nurse and helps the sick, as she should be. Pray for us too, Sister Letitia.

Константин Беляев

It's a shame that this even happens. A man with a rosary and a key goes to a regular Sunday service, and he is stopped by armed people right outside the school at the church. I hope they’ll leave her alone, she’s a nurse, she helps people. Pray for us too, Sister Letitia. I agree, Svetlana, especially when it’s right next to the church and on Sunday. In Yekaterinburg, nurses also work in hospitals, and it’s hard to imagine this. I wonder what’s going on with her documents, maybe something has already become clear?

Трајче Ристески

Yes, Petre, that's exactly what struck me – a small woman with a rosary and a key in her hand, in front of the church, on her way to Liturgy. As an electrician, I am often alone in the field and I know how it is when you are interrupted unexpectedly. I hope they let her continue to work as a nurse and nurse there.

Александр Орлов

It’s a pity that this happens even to a nun who was simply going to Mass with a rosary in her hands. In New York, we also have sisters from different orders helping in hospitals, just like her - it’s hard to imagine that they would be so intimidated at the doors of the church. Konstantin, did you hear how the story with her visa or documents ended after that press conference?

Владимир Макаров

It’s a pity that this happened, especially when the person was simply going to the church with a rosary. Here in Tula, sisters from the merciful order also help in the hospital, and it’s hard to imagine this at the church doors. As for her visa, I haven’t heard anything new, maybe someone who follows the news from Texas can tell me?

Билјана Николовска

Yes, Traje, exactly that picture with the rosary and the key struck me too. I am retired, but when I walk to the church in Ohrid for early Liturgy, I remember how peaceful it is until something surprises you. I also hope that they will let her continue to work as a nurse, especially since she is also a doctor.

Вера Беляева

It’s a pity that they scared her so much right in front of the church, with only rosary beads in her hands. In Novosibirsk, our sisters also help in hospitals, but it’s hard to imagine. And I also didn’t hear anything about the visa after the press conference, maybe something appeared in the Catholic news?

Јасмина Стојановска

Biljana, you got that part with the rosary and the key right, it hit me too. When I walk to the church in Tetovo early in the morning, I often only carry the house key and the phone, so I can easily imagine myself in her place. I hope they let her continue working as a nurse, especially since she is so needed.