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Nursing student detained six months at Texas ICE facility released after judge rules detention unlawful

May 9, 2026 · Portland, ME, DR Congo

Nursing student detained six months at Texas ICE facility released after judge rules detention unlawful

Olivia Andre, a 19-year-old nursing student and asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was apprehended with her family in November 2025 while attempting to seek asylum. While her mother and two younger siblings were released in March 2026 following a court order, Andre remained detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas for approximately six months because she is technically an adult without guardianship of her siblings. During her detention, she experienced severe physical and mental health deterioration including weight loss of nearly 20 pounds, depression, insomnia, nightmares, suicidal ideation, headaches, and received no mental health care despite documented PTSD and depression. On May 9, 2026, a federal district court judge in San Antonio ruled that Andre's detention was unlawful because the government failed to establish she posed a danger or flight risk and that continued detention violated her constitutional right to due process. She was released and reunited with her family in Portland, Maine.

Timeline

May 9, 2026Federal district court judge in San Antonio ruled Andre's detention unlawful for failure to establish danger or flight risk and violation of due process rights
May 8, 2026Andre released from Dilley and reunited with family in Portland, Maine
Mar 1, 2026Andre's mother and two younger siblings released from Dilley following court order; Andre remains detained
Nov 1, 2025Olivia Andre apprehended with family while attempting to seek asylum

Sources

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