local
Texas diocese calls nun's detainment by ICE 'wildly disturbing'
By KRIV at FOX 26 Houston (KRIV)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
<p>The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville called the detention of a nun who was walking to Sunday Mass by Immigration and Customs Enforcement "wildly disturbing."</p><p>According to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Sister Leticia Ugbaoja was detained by ICE while on her way to church.</p><p>Si...
Key takeaway "</p><p>The Diocese of Brownsville said it was continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding Ugboaja's detainment.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The detention of Sister Leticia Ugbaoja by ICE while on her way to Sunday Mass has sent shockwaves through the community, and its implications are being felt in Pearland and beyond. As a city within the Houston area, Pearland is not far from the Rio Grande Valley where Sister Letty has dedicated over a decade of service. Her work as a registered nurse and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion has undoubtedly touched the lives of many who may have ties to Pearland. The bipartisan outcry from local representatives, including Reps. Henry Cuellar and Monica De La Cruz, demonstrates the widespread concern over the circumstances surrounding her detainment. The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville's call for reform of Homeland Security enforcement protocols will likely resonate with Pearland residents who value the contributions of community members like Sister Letty. As the Diocese continues to investigate the circumstances, Pearland residents will be watching to see how this incident affects local conversations about immigration and community safety.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? <p>The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville called the detention of a nun who was walking to Sunday Mass by Immigration and Customs Enforcement "wildly disturbing."</p><p>According to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Sister Leticia Ugbaoja was detained by ICE while on her way to church.</p><p>Si...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KRIV at FOX 26 Houston (KRIV). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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