Story perspectives

Bipartisan Lawmakers Secure Nun’s Release After Texas ICE Detention

7/1/2026

Summary

Lawmakers Secure Release

ICE detained Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a nun and nurse, on June 28 as she walked to Mass in McAllen, Texas.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) and Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Edinburg) contacted DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, securing Ugboaja’s release and return home by Monday.
Bishop Flores called the protocols disturbing, prompting the Diocese to thank the lawmakers.
LULAC petitioned Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, heightening criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown at houses of worship.

Summary

Judge Blocks Church Raids

U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor IV issued an injunction blocking immigration raids inside churches after DHS revoked an Obama-era rule that barred enforcement from “sensitive” sites.
A coalition of Christian denominations, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, sued to halt raids near churches.
Sister Rose Patrice Kuhn said sisters in Rio Grande Valley feel anxiety about detention, prompting prayer vigils outside Sister Letty’s home until her release.

History

Historical Context

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 created removal proceedings and allowed ICE to detain non-citizens without bail; by December 2025, 17,500 detainees fell under it. That legacy drives ICE’s detention of Sister Leticia Ugboaja in McAllen and the injunction on faith-based raids, sparking lawsuits from LULAC, the ACLU and debate by Rep. Henry Cuellar and Sen. Ted Cruz.

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Lawmakers Secure Release

ICE detained Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a nun and nurse, on June 28 as she walked to Mass in McAllen, Texas.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) and Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Edinburg) contacted DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, securing Ugboaja’s release and return home by Monday.
Bishop Flores called the protocols disturbing, prompting the Diocese to thank the lawmakers.
LULAC petitioned Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, heightening criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown at houses of worship.

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