Filipino artist arrested by ICE outside his home in Texas

NEW YORK — Community groups and civil rights advocates are demanding the release of Filipino American artist and DACA recipient Ya’kub Ira Vijandre, who was reportedly arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside his home in Dallas, Texas earlier this week.  

Vijandre – an artist, photojournalist and community activist known for his immigrant rights advocacy – is legally protected from deportation and detention under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, according to his supporters.

His sudden arrest has drawn condemnation from several organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Texas DFW, the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) Dallas Chapter.  

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“This detention is unlawful and a disturbing abuse of power,” CAIR-Texas said in a statement. “Ya’kub’s rights under DACA remain valid, and his arrest is a direct violation of those protections.”  

According to his supporters, ICE agents detained Vijandre early Tuesday morning in what they described as an unprovoked and illegal act.

The arrest comes amid growing concern over what activists have described as increased targeting of community organizers of color, particularly those tied to the Palestine solidarity movement.  

Vijandre, who was born and raised in the Philippines before settling in Texas, is an interdisciplinary artist and photojournalist widely recognized for his community work. He teaches Filipino martial arts, promotes Baybayin, a traditional Philippine script, and uses his storytelling to highlight social justice issues. 

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Friends and fellow organizers describe him as compassionate, creative and deeply committed to helping others.  

“Ya’kub is a beloved member of our community who has dedicated his work to uplifting others,” said PYM Dallas in statement posted on social media. “We will not be silent in the face of this targeting and repression. We demand his immediate release.”  

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DACA, implemented in 2012, grants temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children. 

DACA status holders must renew their protections regularly and remain free of serious criminal convictions. Civil rights groups argue that ICE’s actions against Vijandre violate both the letter and spirit of the program.  

ICE detention of Ya’kub Ira Vijandre sparks outrage

Community members in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have rallied around the #FreeYakub campaign, urging public officials and elected representatives to intervene.

Attorneys and advocates are working to secure his release and ensure that his civil and immigration rights are protected.  

CAIR-Texas DFW, CAIR Action Texas, MLFA, the Muslim American Society Dallas and the Islamic Circle of North America’s Council on Social Justice released a joint statement condemning ICE’s actions. 

“To detain him is to trample on justice itself,” the groups said. “ICE’s conduct continues to undermine both the integrity of our legal system and the trust of immigrant communities across the country.”  

As of Wednesday, supporters continued organizing online efforts to pressure ICE to release Vijandre.

They encouraged the public to follow the account @freeyakub on Instagram for updates and ways to take action.

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