Nursing student detained six months at Texas ICE facility released after judge rules detention unlawful
May 9, 2026·Location: Portland, ME
Country of origin: DR Congo

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
Sources
- Teen says judge’s order for her release from immigration detention had her family screaming with joy
NBC News·May 8, 2026·archived copy
- A day in the life of a 19-year-old in ICE detention: ‘I feel that this nightmare is not going to end’
The Guardian·Apr 9, 2026·archived copy
- Rep. Pingree, Ms. Rachel join calls for Portland teen to be released from ICE custody
pressherald.com·Apr 16, 2026·archived copy
- Portland teen remains in ICE custody after family members were released
WGME·Apr 21, 2026·archived copy
- Federal judge orders ICE to release 19-year-old Mainer detained in Texas since November
mainepublic.org·May 7, 2026·archived copy
nhpr.org·May 7, 2026·archived copy
- Portland teen in ICE detention in Texas to be released
WMTW·May 6, 2026·archived copy
- Outcry Grows for 19-Year-Old Nursing Student Held in ICE Detention for 5 Months
shinemycrown.com·Apr 28, 2026·archived copy
- Judge orders release of Portland teen from ICE facility after 6 months
fox23maine.com·May 7, 2026·archived copy
WGME·May 7, 2026·archived copy
- Teen asylum seeker ordered released from ICE custody
Yahoo News·May 6, 2026·archived copy
- Judge Orders Release Of Black Teen Held In Immigration Detention For Months
Yahoo News·May 8, 2026·archived copy
- guardian.co.uk
- Star Tribune
- 19-year-old Portland woman reunited with family after months in ICE custody in Texas
nhpr.org·May 9, 2026·archived copy
- Portland teen returns to Maine after 6 months in ICE detention in Texas
WGME·May 9, 2026·archived copy
- The Dilley immigrant detention facility costs taxpayers millions. The human cost is even higher. | Rep. Chellie Pingree
pressherald.com·May 14, 2026·archived copy
More incidents in Maine
- Maine ICE observer detained at border after being wrongly added to DHS databaseOct 2, 2026 · Portland, ME
- Congolese asylum seeker, jail officer, detained by ICE at routine check-inSep 22, 2026 · Scarborough, ME
- Angolan bank worker arrested by ICE in Lewiston parking lot, judge blocks removalSep 4, 2026 · Lewiston, ME
- Corrections officer with valid work permit detained by ICE in South PortlandAug 28, 2026 · South Portland, ME
- Cumberland County corrections officer detained by ICE in South PortlandAug 27, 2026 · South Portland, ME
- Cumberland County corrections officer from Angola detained by ICE, sheriff praises himAug 23, 2026 · Portland, ME