McALLEN, Texas – A South Texas nun was detained Sunday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while reportedly on the way to celebrate Mass, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church said on Facebook.
Sister Letty was released from ICE custody Sunday night after she was detained earlier that morning, according to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-San Antonio, and Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg.
After communicating with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Tom Homan, I’m pleased to share that Sister Letty is on her way home. The order has been given for her to be released today instead of tomorrow, and she’ll be home tonight. My office stayed engaged with the Department of… pic.twitter.com/na3RY7AeX9
Both Cuellar and De La Cruz said they communicated with the Department of Homeland Security and expressed gratitude for the swift resolution.
“As I have repeatedly said, our immigration enforcement should target violent criminals,” De La Cruz said in an earlier post. “A Catholic nun on her way to church is not a threat to our community.”
KSAT reached out to ICE for comment, and this story will be updated once a response is received.
Christian Riley joined KSAT 12 in June 2025. He returned to the Lone Star State after serving as the senior digital producer at the NBC affiliate in mid-Missouri and earned two Missouri Broadcasters Association awards.