Federal Judge Orders Release of Portland Teen Held by ICE in Texas

A Portland teenager who has been held at an ICE detention facility in Texas for months could soon be returning to Maine.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says a federal judge has ordered the release of 19-year-old Olivia Andre by Friday from the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas. Pingree says Andre could potentially be released as early as Thursday night.

Andre and her family were detained by ICE last year after authorities said they were living in the United States illegally after arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While the rest of her family was eventually released, Andre remained in custody, despite what supporters say was no clear explanation for why she continued to be detained, WGME reported.

Pingree said the judge’s decision came only hours after she and several other members of Congress visited the Texas detention facility where Andre has been held.

“There was no reason to detain the family originally for four months or to keep her there for six months, two months beyond the rest of her family,” Pingree said. “That’s just cruel.”

The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling, calling the judge an “activist judge” and arguing Andre should not be released.

According to Pingree, ICE is only required to give two hours’ notice before Andre is released. The congresswoman says she is now coordinating with Andre’s attorney and other lawmakers to help bring her back home to Maine.