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Nun speaks out for first time about being detained by ICE while walking to Mass in Texas
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 23, 2026
· 3 min read
A nun who was taken into immigration custody last month in Texas said Thursday that she went into a cold sweat as two armed men approached her while she walked to Sunday Mass in her habit, thinking about the day's Bible readings and carrying little more than her rosary and cellphone. “At that mom...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested her on June 28.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The detention of Sister Leticia Ugboaja while walking to Mass in Texas raises concerns about the impact of immigration policies on San Antonio's own faith communities and social fabric. As a city with a strong Catholic presence, the idea that a nun can be taken into custody on her way to church is particularly troubling. Ugboaja's case also highlights the uncertainty faced by many in the San Antonio area who have followed the rules and contributed to their communities, yet still live with the threat of deportation. The fact that Congress members had to intervene on her behalf underscores the need for local leaders to advocate for humane immigration policies that respect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. As Ugboaja prepares for her upcoming check-in with ICE, the community will be watching to see how her case is resolved and what implications it may have for others in similar situations.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A nun who was taken into immigration custody last month in Texas said Thursday that she went into a cold sweat as two armed men approached her while she walked to Sunday Mass in her habit, thinking about the day's Bible readings and carrying little more than her rosary and cellphone. “At that mom...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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