Valley nun speaks out following ICE detainment, fights removal to third country
Related Story
For the first time, a Rio Grande Valley nun detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is sharing what happened to her.
Sister Leticia "Letty" Ugboaja is scheduled for another immigration check-in next week.
Since her detention, Sister Letty says she has lived with stress, anxiety and fear after being detained by ICE.
Through it all, she said her faith is keeping her strong.
"It has been very, very heartbreaking for me. I was told, even when I told him, can I go to Mass? Can I just attend Mass? Can I receive my communion? The answer was no," Sister Letty said.
Every Sunday, for the past 10 years, Sister Letty has walked to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen.
On June 28, that familiar walk ended when ICE agents stopped her outside the church. She says she never expected her journey to worship would lead to detention.
"Honestly, in that moment, I did not understand what was going on or what was happening to me because I was busy reflecting on the readings of the Mass that very day," Sister Letty said.
Nearly a month later, that moment is still fresh in her mind.
"I did not do anything else when I have two men armed. I'm just a small woman, a nun, harmless, just with my rosary, my key, and my phone. I will not pretend, it did hurt, and it's still hurting me up to today," Sister Letty said.
Valley Catholic church leaders, supporters and her attorney stood beside her as she prepares for an ICE check-in next week.
Her attorney says she was detained without prior notice or an opportunity to respond.
"It's a difficult time for our community because we're seeing how this affects people who should not really have to be dealing with this. The government had indicated that they were going after the really, what they termed, bad people, the criminals. Here, we're seeing that this is nothing of the sort," Sister Letty's immigration attorney Carlos Moctezuma Garcia said.
Garcia said she has a final order of removal stemming from an asylum application denial in 2019. But he adds a federal judge also found it was unsafe for her to return to her home country of Nigeria.
"The same time, immigration judge appointed by the attorney general here in the United States has found that it is more likely than not more probable than not that she would be tortured if returned to her country and so she has protection from removal against Nigeria," Garcia said.
Officials said Sister Letty has complied with the conditions of the protection and holds a valid employment authorization document.
Garcia says Sister Letty has never missed an immigration appointment. He claims ICE is now attempting to deport her another country, not Nigeria.
Garcia says they will go to her appointment next week. He believes one of two things will happen, either ICE could allow her to remain free and require her to wear an ankle monitor, or they will take her back into custody.
"They can have her sign some kind of document that indicates that she showed up, but what we don't want to happen also is, obviously, we don't feel it is appropriate to detain someone like Sister Letty, and also we don't feel it is appropriate for the government to place an ankle monitor," Garcia said.
Through it all, Sister Letty says her faith continues to guide her.
"I do not say this just out of anger. I said it because of my faith and the faith that teaches me not to be silent because silence or afraid is not going to solve any problem," Sister Letty said.
Channel 5 News has sent emails to the Department of Homeland Security for the last four weeks requesting comment on Sister Letty's detention, so far the agency has not provided one.
For now, Sister Letty continues to serve at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and work outside as a registered nurse at South Texas Health System.
Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz shared a statement in reference to Sister Letty's situation. She said "my team and I have advocated on her behalf throughout this process."
De La Cruz adds she will continue to assist with immigration cases in accordance with the law.
Watch the video above for the full story.
News
