Nun arrested by ICE while walking to Sunday Mass in Texas released after lawmakers’ intervention

A Catholic nun was briefly detained by federal immigration officers while walking to church in her religious habit on Sunday, sparking widespread concern among local faith leaders and prompting swift intervention by members of Congress.

Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and a registered nurse at South Texas Health System, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on June 28 as she headed to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Parish officials quickly shared news of the arrest on social media, which drew significant attention and led to outreach from lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Monica de la Cruz and Henry Cuellar, the latter of whom said his office communicated with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and border czar Tom Homan to secure Ugboaja’s immediate release.

By Sunday evening, Ugboaja, who volunteers as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows, had been released from custody and returned home.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar told EWTN News that he was told at first that she could not be released…