By Fisher Jack
Morehouse Alum Alex Maganda Detained by ICE in Texas
*Alex Maganda, a 2018 graduate of Morehouse College and former football player, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking a wave of support from the HBCU community. Maganda is currently being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Anson, Texas, located about 200 miles outside of Dallas.
His detention first came to light on July 11, 2025, when classmates began circulating messages online calling for help and legal support. The hashtag #FreeAlexMaganda quickly began trending among Morehouse and Spelman College students, alumni, and faculty.
HBCU Community Launches #FreeAlexMaganda Movement
The “Spelhouse” network — a term for the combined alumni and student communities of Spelman and Morehouse Colleges — is rallying to Maganda’s side. Many are shocked and frustrated, especially since Maganda is a well-known alumnus with a solid academic and athletic background.
One of Maganda’s classmates posted on social media: “We need immediate legal support for our brother. This should not be happening to a Morehouse man.”
Posts like these have fueled a grassroots mobilization effort that includes fundraising, contacting lawyers, and demanding intervention from elected officials.
Background on Alex Maganda and Detention Circumstances
Before enrolling at Morehouse, Maganda was a standout kicker on his high school football team in Concord, North Carolina. At Morehouse, he continued to contribute to campus life as a student-athlete. The exact reason for his detention remains unclear, but it has sparked intense concern given Morehouse’s historically small international student population — less than 1% of its students and faculty are nonresidents.
His detention reportedly occurred outside Dallas, Texas, though federal agencies have not released the official date or justification for the arrest. Maganda’s case is gaining national attention, and media outlets including Capital B Atlanta and Yahoo News have covered the unfolding story.
Morehouse Had Raised ICE Raid Concerns Earlier in 2025
In February 2025, Morehouse College’s Faculty Council passed a resolution urging the university to prepare for potential ICE actions on campus. That resolution came in response to growing fears about federal crackdowns on non-citizen students and staff at HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.
In a March 2025 article from Black Enterprise, Morehouse faculty expressed concern over “rising anti-immigrant sentiment” and the possible targeting of Black immigrants and international students. Maganda’s situation may be the first high-profile case involving a Morehouse alumnus to come under this spotlight.
Calls for Legal Support and Transparency Grow Louder
While official reasons for Maganda’s detention have not been released, the lack of information is fueling speculation. Classmates and supporters are calling for ICE to explain why he was detained and whether he has legal representation. Advocacy groups have begun to pressure local and federal officials to intervene.
Some activists have reached out to California Representative Maxine Waters and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, both known for their strong stances on civil rights and immigration reform. “We’re asking for basic human rights and due process,” said one Spelman alum in a video post shared widely on X.
This Case Highlights Broader Immigration and Equity Issues
Maganda’s detention is more than a one-time incident — it reflects growing concerns about how immigration laws are being enforced, especially against Black immigrants and college graduates. It also highlights a gap in protections for students of color navigating complex immigration statuses after graduation.
“We know this isn’t just about Alex. This is about every immigrant student who has contributed to this country and is now at risk,” said a Morehouse faculty member.
What’s Next in the Fight for Alex Maganda’s Freedom
The HBCU community is organizing more public awareness efforts, including a virtual town hall and a petition calling for his immediate release. Legal aid groups are reportedly being contacted to assist with his defense, and supporters are pushing for ICE to publicly address his case.
As more details unfold, one thing is clear — the rallying cry of #FreeAlexMaganda is just the beginning of what could become a landmark case in the fight for fair and humane immigration policies affecting HBCU alumni and beyond.