Federal Agents Detain Filipino DACA Holder in Texas Raid

A Filipino man was arrested inside his home in Dallas, Texas, in what experts say reflects the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.

Yaakub Vijandre, a longtime resident and beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, recounted the tense moments when six unmarked vehicles suddenly pulled up outside his home. Federal agents rushed in, and one officer allegedly pointed a gun at him before placing him under arrest. The incident left Vijandre and his family shaken, raising renewed concerns among immigrant communities already fearful of intensified federal operations.

Vijandre was granted protection under DACA during former President Barack Obama’s administration. The program shields eligible individuals brought to the United States as children from deportation, provided they meet certain requirements, including maintaining a clean criminal record. DACA recipients often called “Dreamers” have long lived, studied, and worked in the U.S. legally under temporary protected status.

However, reports indicate that Vijandre may have been targeted due to critical social media posts he made about the government. Immigration experts note that this aligns with a broader pattern under the Trump administration, which expanded background checks to include deeper scrutiny of online activity. Visa, green card, and citizenship applicants along with those appealing for their children’s release from federal custody have increasingly faced more invasive evaluations of their digital footprint.

Advocates warn that using social media as grounds for immigration action sets a troubling precedent, raising questions about free speech, due process, and civil liberties. They argue that such practices could open the door to profiling, retaliation, or politically motivated enforcement.

As Vijandre’s case draws attention, immigrant rights groups continue to call for greater transparency and accountability in federal immigration operations, emphasizing that vulnerable communities should not be silenced or intimidated for expressing their views.