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'Wildly disturbing': Catholic Diocese of Brownsville releases statement after Valley nun detained by ICE
By Mia Morales at ValleyCentral
· June 30, 2026
· 1 min read
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville has released a statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a nun while she was walking to Mass on Sunday, with Bishop Daniel E. Flores calling the actions "wildly disturbing." On Sunday, Our Lady of Sorro...
Key takeaway " On Sunday, Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen announced that Sister Leticia Ugbaoja, known as [...
Why this matters in The Brownsville
The detention of Sister Leticia Ugbaoja by ICE while walking to Mass has sent shockwaves through the Rio Grande Valley's tight-knit faith communities. Bishop Daniel E. Flores' strong words reflect the deep concern among local Catholics, who see the nun's detention as a disturbing example of the complexities and challenges of immigration enforcement in the region. As a major border and immigration hub, Brownsville and its surrounding areas are no strangers to the tensions between federal enforcement and community relationships. The incident raises questions about the impact of ICE actions on the daily lives of Valley residents, including those who are integral to the social fabric, like Sister Ugbaoja. The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville's statement will likely resonate with many in the community who are calling for a more nuanced approach to immigration enforcement, one that balances security concerns with compassion and respect for human dignity.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral . The Brownsville 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 ValleyCentral . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: border ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral ·
Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville has released a statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a nun while she was walking to Mass on Sunday, with Bishop Daniel E. Flores calling the actions "wildly disturbing." On Sunday, Our Lady of Sorro...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by ValleyCentral and curated for The Brownsville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mia Morales at ValleyCentral. To learn more about how The Brownsville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more border coverage from The Brownsville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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