A North Texas Muslim activist had his legal status revoked and is facing deportation over social media posts, according to federal officials.
Ya鈥檃kub Ira Vijandre moved to the U.S. from the Philippines as a child and later received protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested him outside his Dallas home on Oct. 7. He鈥檚 being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility about 200 miles west of Dallas.
Supporters say Vijandre, a storyteller and activist, who often documented protests and community events, is being targeted for his pro-Palestinian work.
His friend, Mohammed Ayachi, told 四虎影院 Vijandre was simply exercising his freedom of speech.
鈥淲hat the government realizes is people like Ya鈥檃kub who are the ones who are bringing those stories forward, are a danger to their agenda, and that's why they're targeting him,鈥� Ayachi said.
鈥淗e was always very keen on building relationships with folks and helping them feel like human beings, which is very important in a time where our government consistently tries to dehumanize folks.鈥�
In a statement to 四虎影院, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Vijandre was 鈥渁 subject of interest in the Dallas Joint Terrorism Task Force following social media posts glorifying terrorism including celebrating Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a terrorist who swore allegiance to Osama bin Laden in 2004.鈥�
The email included a screenshot of the post. The statement also said Vijandre had overstayed his visa and was notified his DACA status was terminated on Sept. 22.
According to a statement posted online by the Muslim Legal Fund of America, which is part of Vijandre鈥檚 defense team, his DACA status isn鈥檛 set to expire until May. 鈥� Until the termination becomes final, the government lacks the legal authority to deport or detain him.鈥�
Attorneys with a coalition of rights groups .
In a statement to 四虎影院, Marium Uddin, an attorney and spokesperson for the MLFA, said Vijandre had a hearing Wed. His legal team argued that his DACA status was valid and that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 鈥渙nly issued a notice of intent to terminate, but it wasn鈥檛 final.鈥�
鈥淭he judge declined to terminate saying he didn鈥檛 believe he had the authority to do so and/or he lacked concurrence by DHS,鈥� Uddin said. Vijandre has another hearing next month.
Vijandre鈥檚 arrest earlier this month marks the second time a well-known Muslim community activist in Dallas was detained by immigration officials. Last month, ICE detained Marwan Marouf, alleging he had overstayed his visa and later that he supported a known terrorist group, which his attorneys deny.
Vijandre was part of the group rallying for the release of Marouf and others arrested by ICE.
鈥淎ll he would do is just tell the stories and the truth will speak for itself,鈥� Ayachi said.
Supporters have been reaching out to lawmakers, asking for support of Vijandre鈥檚 release from federal custody. 鈥淔ree Ya鈥檃kub鈥� Instagram and Go Fund Me accounts have been set up.
鈥淚 think one thing that I thought was really amazing is seeing all the people he's worked with in the past that he's built relationships with, come together to try to help him out,鈥� Ayachi said.
Priscilla Rice is 四虎影院鈥檚 communities reporter. Got a tip? Email her at price@kera.org.
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