Questions remain about ICE arrest of South Texas nun

Key Points:

• Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a 56-year-old Nigerian nun, was arrested by federal immigration agents while walking to church in McAllen, Texas, and later released following intervention by South Texas lawmakers.
• The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville and civil rights group LULAC have called the circumstances of her detention "wildly disturbing" and are seeking reforms to enforcement protocols that allow such actions.
• Ugboaja, who has worked as a nurse in South Texas for a decade, was reportedly distressed during her detention and denied necessary medication, prompting concern from church officials.
• Several members of Congress, including Representatives Monica De La Cruz, Henry Cuellar, and Vicente Gonzalez, publicly criticized the arrest and engaged with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to secure her release.
• The incident has raised awareness about the vulnerability of international religious workers in the U.S. and led the diocese to encourage nuns to carry proof of legal status at all times.