The Dallas-Fort Worth office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-DFW) has joined the Free Yaa’kub Campaign, Immigrant Rights Groups, Civil Liberties organizations, and the DFW community in demanding USCIS withdraw its unlawful notice to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status of Photojournalist Yaa’kub (Jacob) Ira Vijandre unjustly detained by ICE.
SEE: Feds revoke Dallas activist’s DACA status, detain him over social media posts
BACKGROUNDER:
Yaa’kub is an active community member in the DFW area and a long-time recipient of legal status through the DACA program. Yaa’kub ’s sudden and unjust detainment has come as a shock to the Muslim community in DFW. Yaa’kub is widely recognized and well-known as an activist for justice across DFW. CAIR-DFW also joins the community in demanding answers for these targeted attacks and in demanding the immediate release of Yaa’kub. On the morning of October 21, 2025, his attorneys proved in court that his DACA status remains valid, yet his detainment continues.
On September 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT”) Yaa’kub’s DACA status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) incorrectly stated to the press that Yaa’kub’s DACA status was terminated on September 22, 2025. However, the NOIT does not terminate his status, but instead attempts to provide the unconstitutional grounds upon which USCIS intends to do so. In an egregious violation of his First Amendment protections, the NOIT alleges that Yaa’kub’s social media posts made him an “enforcement priority” of this administration, thereby making it “no longer appropriate” to maintain his status as a DACA recipient.
During his master calendar hearing on the morning of October 21, 2025, Yaa’kub’s attorneys made an oral Motion to Terminate these unlawful immigration court proceedings. They argued that although a NOIT was issued, USCIS has not yet decided as to Yaa’kub’s DACA status. In fact, the NOIT provided a response deadline of October 21, 2025, and Yaa’kub’s attorneys have submitted a response. The USCIS cannot terminate DACA until the response and issues raised therein are fully reviewed.
Despite reviewing evidence that Yaa’kub’s DACA remains valid until May 2026 and receiving no evidence to the contrary from ICE attorneys, immigration judge Abdias Tida denied the Motion to Terminate proceedings. Yaa’kub remains in custody, and his next hearing is set for November 6, 2025. This is a clear violation of Yaa’kub’s due process rights. Regardless of the government’s attempt to silence the people, the DFW community stands firmly behind Yaa’kub and will support him in the fight to demand for the dismissal of these proceedings and his immediate release.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-TX, DFW Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll, (832) 549-1042, mcarroll@cair.com; Noor Wadi, Esq. (214) 830-5031; noor@noorwadilaw.com