Community, Interfaith Leaders to hold Rally Demanding Release of Ya’akub Ira Vijandre
Press conference set for April 16 at 11 a.m. outside the Dallas ICE Field Office as supporters dispute detention and removal order
Community members, advocacy organizations, attorneys and interfaith leaders plan to hold a press conference Thursday, April 16, outside the Dallas ICE Field Office.
The planned action is to call for the immediate release of Ya’akub Ira Vijandre, who supporters say has been detained for six months because of his political beliefs.
Scheduled for 11 a.m. in front of the Dallas ICE Field Office at 8101 N. Stemmons Freeway, this is another rally to call for his release.
Organizers said Vijandre was taken to the Dallas ICE office immediately after what they describe as an unlawful arrest at gunpoint on Oct. 7, 2025, and has remained in custody since.
Organizers point to a recent removal order issued by Immigration Judge Blake Doughty, which they say relied on an unconstitutional finding that Vijandres ideology could justify detention and deportation. In the order, the judge wrote that the court reasonably concludes respondents belief in their innocence is based on ideological affinity when discussing Vijandres view of several terrorism-related convictions referenced in the decision.
The ruling also cited Vijandres social media posts referring to incarcerated individuals including the Holy Land Foundation 5, Aafia Siddiqui and the Fort Dix 5 as “political prisoners”. Supporters said the decision wrongly treats calls for due process, fundraising for legal defense, and advocacy for exoneration as material support conduct they argue is protected by the First Amendment.
“Ya’akubs case impacts the right of every person in this country to criticize the genocide or any other American government policy,” said attorney Eric Lee, who represents Vijandre in federal habeas litigation.
“This case has to be a line in the sand,” Lee added, arguing that Vijandre, who has lived and worked in the United States for nearly 20, “is entitled to the same free-speech protections as U.S. citizens”, citing longstanding Supreme Court precedent including Bridges v. Wixon, 326 U.S. 135, 148 (1945).
Organizers said they are urging “people of conscience” to attend the April 16 news conference and continue pressing ICE to release Vijandre.
The gathering will take place at 11 a.m. outside the Dallas ICE Field Office on N. Stemmons Freeway.