Sister Leticia Ugboaja was walking to Sunday Mass when ICE officers stopped her, confiscated her rosary, and put her in handcuffs.
The Catholic nun who is originally from Nigeria was released from detention hours later after lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties intervened.
Her church, ‘Our Lady of Sorrows Church’ posted online asking for help following Ugboaja’s detention.
“We ask our parish family to please keep this religious sister Letty in your prayers. Reports indicate that she was detained by ICE while on her way to Sunday Mass,” said the church in a statement on Facebook on June 28.
The church’s post gained traction in the news, which led to the members of Congress intervening on Ugboaja’s behalf.
Ugboaja is a registered nurse with the South Texas Health System and previously worked for 10 years as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Texas, according to Brenda Riojas, a spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, Texas.
“We are grateful for the quick response of local representatives who reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to get her released from custody,” Riojas said in her statement.
President Trump’s second term in office has seen a crackdown on immigration, including arresting people at places of worship, workplaces and homes.
