A Catholic nun in South Texas was released Sunday after U.S. immigration authorities detained her while she was walking to Mass, prompting intervention from members of Congress and calls for prayers from her parish.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen announced on social media that Sister Leticia Ugboaja, who also goes by Sister Letty, had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers while on her way to Sunday Mass.
“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,” the parish said in a statement shared on social media. “We pray for her safety, peace, and strength during this difficult time, and we hope for a swift and just resolution that allows her to be released soon,” the statement continued.
Several hours later, the parish announced that the nun had been released after members of Texas’ congressional delegation contacted federal officials.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, said her office worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure Sister Letty’s release.
“My office worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security, and I’m grateful they acted to resolve this quickly,” De La Cruz said. “Thank you to everyone who kept her in their prayers. God is good.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat, also announced in a statement on social media that he had communicated with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan about Sister Letty’s detainment.
“The order has been given for her to be released today instead of tomorrow, and she’ll be home tonight. My office stayed engaged with the Department of Homeland Security throughout this process, and I appreciate everyone who helped make this possible,” he wrote.
“Thank you to all who kept her in your prayers. We’re thankful for this good news,” Cuellar stated.
The Christian Post requested comment from ICE regarding the circumstances surrounding Sister Letty’s detention. The agency referred questions to DHS, which did not immediately respond.
Brenda Riojas, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Brownsville, identified Sister Letty as a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, a Catholic religious order whose members take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, in an interview with NBC News’ DFW affiliate.
Riojas said Sister Letty also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
“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 a statement.
The Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration has prompted objections from some faith leaders.
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor IV of the District of Massachusetts, a George W. Bush appointee, issued a preliminary injunction barring immigration enforcement raids from taking place at some churches.
“The prospect that a street-level law-enforcement agent — acting without a judicial warrant and with little or no supervisory control — could conduct a raid during a church service, or lie in wait to interrogate or seize congregants as they seek to enter a church, is profoundly troubling,” Saylor wrote.
“If government interference with those freedoms is ever justifiable, it is only in relatively extreme circumstances, such as an immediate threat to public safety. The routine enforcement of the immigration laws does not involve such a threat, and cannot justify the harm to religious freedom posed by the new policy.”
Last January, the DHS announced the rescission of a policy enacted during the Obama administration prohibiting immigration law enforcement operations from “sensitive” locations. A coalition of Christian groups, led by the New England Synod of the progressive denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, sued to stop the new DHS policy.
In his order, Saylor stated that “while the government certainly has a compelling interest in the enforcement of the immigration laws,” the current policy “is not, in fact, the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.”
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
Continue reading
