Nigerian Catholic nun Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja was detained by U.S. immigration authorities while walking to Sunday Mass in Texas and now faces possible removal to a third country.
NIGERIAN NUN DETAINED BY ICE ON WAY TO MASS, FACES UNCERTAIN FATE
Sister Ugboaja, 56, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 28 in McAllen, South Texas, The Texas Tribune reported. Her detention drew widespread attention after lawmakers intervened, leading to her release later that same day.
A registered nurse and volunteer minister, Sister Ugboaja has lived in the U.S. for years. An immigration judge denied her asylum application in 2019, but she was granted protection from deportation on the grounds that she could face torture if returned to Nigeria.
Her attorney said ICE later informed her she could be removed to a third country, without specifying which country or when such action might take place, according to the report.
Speaking publicly after her release, Sister Ugboaja said she wanted to draw attention to the experiences of others facing similar immigration challenges. She is scheduled for another ICE check-in next week as her legal case continues.
Her detention has intensified scrutiny of U.S. immigration enforcement practices and third-country removal policies.
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