What Happened
The story of how a photojournalist was taken from his family and community for simply using his voice.
October 7, 2025
On October 7, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully arrested and detained Yaakub Vijandre at gunpoint, a Muslim-Filipino American advocate and photojournalist.
Vijandre is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who has lived in the United States lawfully since 2001.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has justified his detainment and attempt to revoke Vijandre's DACA status on the sole basis of social media posts that were critical of the United States government and his pro-Palestinian activism — a violation of Vijandre's First Amendment rights.
This is political persecution — a direct attack on free speech.
Yaakub's Work & The Movement
Yaakub is a dedicated photojournalist who documents the stories of marginalized communities and social justice movements. With his camera, he bears witness to injustice and amplifies the voices of the voiceless.
His work on Palestinian solidarity events and calls for freedom have made him a vital documentarian of our time — and a target for political persecution.
Follow @yaakub_ira →Timeline of Events
September 11, 2001
Arrival to America
Ya'akub arrives in America at just 14 years old. His father came on an aviation contract, but after 9/11, the contract was terminated and the family was left to rebuild from scratch.
2012 onwards
Building a Life Under DACA
Under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Ya'akub worked hard to build a meaningful life. He became a Senior Airline Safety Specialist at American Airlines, dedicated and trusted by his employers and colleagues.
2023
FBI Informant Request
The FBI approached Ya'akub and asked him to become an informant — to spy on members of his own community. He refused. He chose integrity over pressure. He chose to stand with his people.
October 7, 2025
Arrested at Gunpoint by ICE
Armed ICE agents arrived at Ya'akub's home and arrested him at gunpoint. His alleged crime? Social media posts advocating for Palestine, Palestinians, and political prisoners.
October-December 2025
Transferred to Georgia
Ya'akub was transferred to a detention center in Folkston, Georgia — far from his family and support system.
December 2025
DACA Revoked
While Ya'akub was still in detention, his DACA status was revoked in retaliation. Twenty-four years of building a life — gone.
January 2026
Immigration Relief Denied
An immigration judge ruled Ya'akub's 'ideology' justifies locking him up and removing him. Every path forward — closed. He was offered $3,000 to self-deport. He refused.
Ongoing
Over 227 Days Detained
Ya'akub has never been charged with a crime. No criminal record. He remains in detention while the campaign for his release continues.
Legal Team Statements
Freedom of Press Webinar: ICE's targeting of pro-Palestinian journalists →
Nov 13Mr. Jacob "Yaakub" Ira Vijandre Files an Amended Habeas Petition Challenging His Unconstitutional Detention Based on His Protected Political Speech and Expression →
Nov 10Amended Habeas Petition →
Oct 27Habeas Filing Statement →
Oct 21Legal Team Statement →
Free Yaakub Campaign Statements
CAIR-DFW, Partners Demand Release of Yaakub (Jacob) Ira Vijandre After 100 Days Of Illegal Detention →
Jan 5Joint Press Conference: Free Yaakub Campaign & CAIR-DFW Demand Release of Yaakub (Jacob) Ira Vijandre →
Jan 3100 Days in ICE Detention: The Free Yaakub Campaign Responds to Continuing Illegal Detention →
Dec 15Joint Community Statement on the Detention and Targeting of Yaakub (Jacob) Ira Vijandre →
Dec 10Free Yaakub Campaign Statement on Yaakub's DACA Revocation →
Oct 15Free Yaakub Campaign's Initial Response to Yaakub's Detention →
Press Coverage
A DACA recipient objected to ICE's detention of a community member. He's now facing deportation →
Feds revoke North Texas activist's DACA status, detain him over social media posts →
Feds Revoke Dallas Activist's DACA Status: Detain Him Over Social Media Posts →
Power & Pushback: Dallas Palestine activist detained over social media posts →
Armed ICE Agents Abducted A Filipino Photojournalist With Valid DACA Status →
North Texas Activist Arrested By ICE for Social Media Posts Transferred To Georgia →
Filipino Artist Arrested by ICE Outside His Home In Texas →
Podcast Post →
Ya'akub continues to live in captivity for his photojournalism and that we must do what is truthful and just to fight for his and our freedoms.
Freedom is paved through our political prisoners and we are not free until they are FREE.
Keep remembering him and keep praying for him. Keep speaking up for him and keep moving for him.
Victory isn't but another hour of patience, Insha'Allah