In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Father Roy Snipes, known locally as the Cowboy Priest, is leading a congregation at the La Lomita Catholic Chapel. This chapel, established during the American Civil War, is located just 200 yards from the Rio Grande river. As the congregation arrived for the Friday service, the sound of Snipes' barking dogs signaled his presence. He has served as the priest here for nearly fifty years and has become a local figure of resistance against the Trump administration's border wall plans.
A Message of Compassion
During his sermon, Snipes addressed the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating,
“"There's no good excuse to detain, incarcerate and deport poor, good folks who are our neighbours."
His remarks resonated with the predominantly Hispanic congregation of about 30 worshippers. In July 2026, Texas accounted for roughly one-third of all ICE arrests nationwide, a statistic that highlights the state's significant role in immigration enforcement. Snipes expressed concern over the impact of these actions, noting that many innocent individuals are caught in the crossfire of enforcement efforts.
