‘They attacked my religion, my faith’: Muslim photojournalist detained by ICE speaks out
Dec 12, 2025
Ya’akub Vijandre, held in ICE detention in Georgia, tells Guardian he is concerned for safety of family and friendsYa’akub Vijandre, a Muslim photojournalist, martial arts teacher and first responder who ICE detained in October for posting on social media, told the Guardian that the government i
s “attacking my faith” and that he was “concerned about the safety” of his family and friends.Speaking in his first interview from Georgia’s Folkston detention center, the 38-year-old said guards treat detainees “like animals”, yelling at them when they don’t understand English. One guard responded to his request to use the bathroom during a visit to the detention center’s library by telling him, “just piss on yourself”. Continue reading...
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