Federal immigration authorities released a Texas nun from custody after arresting her while she walked to church in her religious habit, sparking immediate intervention from members of Congress and raising questions about enforcement priorities in South Texas.

Nun Detained En Route to Mass

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested the nun, identified as Ugboaja, as she made her way to Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas, according to the Diocese of Brownsville. Ugboaja serves with the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and volunteers as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the parish. Diocese spokesperson Brenda Riojas confirmed the arrest occurred while the nun was dressed in her religious habit, making the detention particularly visible to the community.

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to multiple requests for comment about the arrest or the specific circumstances that led officers to detain a nun walking to church. The agencies declined to address questions about their enforcement priorities or whether religious workers face heightened scrutiny under current operations.

Swift Congressional Response

Parish officials immediately posted about the arrest on social media, where the story gained rapid attention and prompted action from Texas congressional representatives. U.S. Representative Monica de la Cruz was among the lawmakers who directly intervened with federal officials on behalf of the detained nun. The swift political pressure appears to have expedited her release, with Ugboaja returning to her home by Monday afternoon, according to diocese officials.

Riojas expressed gratitude for the quick response from local representatives who contacted the Department of Homeland Security to secure the nun’s release from custody. The intervention highlights the role constituent pressure can play in individual immigration cases, even as broader enforcement policies continue unchanged.

Decade of Community Service

Beyond her religious duties, Ugboaja works as a registered nurse at South Texas Health System and previously served for ten years as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg, according to diocese records. Her dual roles in healthcare and ministry underscore the community contributions of many immigrants facing potential deportation under expanded enforcement operations.

The arrest occurred in McAllen, located in the Rio Grande Valley near the southern border, where immigration enforcement has intensified. The case raises questions about how federal agents determine enforcement priorities and whether community ties, professional credentials, or religious service factor into detention decisions. With the nun now released, the broader implications for immigration enforcement in religious and healthcare settings remain unclear as federal officials continue declining public comment on the matter.