A registered nurse who serves as an extraordinary minister of holy communion at a south Texas Catholic parish, Ugboaja belongs to the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, a religious congregation, according to Brenda Riojas, spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. Riojas confirmed that Ugboaja is a registered nurse at South Texas Health System and previously worked for 10 years as a certified nursing assistant at DHR Health in Edinburg, Texas.
On Sunday, Ugboaja was walking to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, dressed in her religious habit when ICE officers detained her, according to a statement from the church posted on social media.
The social media post detailing her arrest drew attention from members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz, a south Texas Republican, who intervened with federal officials. By Monday, Ugboaja had been released and was back at home, the diocese said.
“We are grateful for the quick response of local representatives who reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to get her released from custody,” Riojas said in a statement.
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, including operations at sensitive locations such as houses of worship, has prompted faith leaders to adjust their response to church members who have become afraid to attend services, the church said. Some congregations have encouraged online attendance, while others have offered help with errands such as grocery shopping for people too fearful to leave their homes.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to requests for comment since Sunday, Riojas said.