Alex Maganda, a 2018 graduate of Morehouse College—one of the most prestigious colleges in the country—is currently being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Anson, Texas. He was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a routine traffic stop near Dallas approximately two weeks ago. Now, a growing movement to secure his release is gaining traction under the hashtag #FreeAlexMaganda, with widespread support from the HBCU community and immigrant rights advocates.
The historically Black college and university (HBCU) community is mobilizing in response. Alumni and students from Morehouse and Spelman Colleges have launched a social media campaign under the hashtag #FreeAlexMaganda, calling for his immediate release and drawing attention to his case.
JaMarcus Toomer, a Morehouse alum, described Maganda as a caring, family-oriented, and community-minded individual—embodying the “I got my brother’s back” spirit that defines HBCU solidarity.
Supporters have used social media to spotlight the risks Black migrants face under current immigration enforcement policies, particularly racial profiling. Advocates warn that even long-standing community members can be swept into harsh detention and deportation proceedings.
Maganda came to the U.S. from Mexico at age five and had been protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. However, his status recently lapsed before he was able to renew it. He currently lives in Dallas, where he works as a general contractor and previously taught Spanish through the TRIO Upward Bound program. Despite having spent nearly his entire life in the U.S., his loved ones fear deportation is imminent.
His attorney, Carrie Nguyen, believes Maganda has a strong chance of securing an immigration bond. She notes his deep community ties: a high school and college graduate, former Morehouse football player, taxpaying worker, and partner to a U.S. citizen. A hearing is expected within two weeks at the El Paso Immigration Court.
Despite the uncertainty, Maganda remains “in good spirits,” bolstered by legal support and the growing movement advocating for his release. As the HBCU network continues raising funds for legal fees and amplifying his story, all eyes now turn to the upcoming bond hearing—which could determine whether he can return home to his community.
