DEARBORN, Mich. — A growing wave of solidarity is emerging in Dearborn as family members and community advocates call for the release of Hassan Hamqa, a Lebanese father of four who has been held in federal immigration detention for more than six months while his legal case remains unresolved.
According to family members, Hamqa has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since mid-2025. They say his prolonged detention has placed significant emotional and psychological strain on his children and spouse, leaving the household in a constant state of anxiety and uncertainty.
As public support grows, community leaders say the case has become emblematic of broader concerns about prolonged immigration detention without transparency, timelines, or criminal allegations.
What Is Actually Known About Why Hassan Hamqa Was Detained
As of now, no criminal charges have been publicly disclosed against Hamqa. According to statements from his family and community advocates in Dearborn, his detention stems from an immigration-related issue, not a criminal prosecution.
Hamqa was taken into custody during what supporters describe as an administrative immigration enforcement action. Immigration detention is a civil process, not a criminal one — yet it can still result in months or even years of confinement while cases move slowly through immigration courts.
To date, federal authorities have not publicly explained the specific basis for his continued detention.
The Immigration Backstory
Based on information shared by family supporters and community organizers:
Hamqa is a Lebanese national who has lived in the United States for years
He has deep family, community, and faith-based ties in Dearborn
His detention is linked to an immigration status dispute or procedural issue, not allegations of violence or threats to public safety
His immigration case remains pending, with no final legal determination
In short, Hamqa has not been convicted of a crime, yet remains detained while navigating the immigration court system.
Why Has He Been Held for Over Six Months?
Advocates point to systemic issues within U.S. immigration enforcement.
Under current law, ICE has broad discretion to detain individuals while their cases are pending — even when:
The individual has no criminal history
The individual has a stable home, spouse, and children
The individual poses no flight risk or safety threat
Immigration proceedings are often delayed by court backlogs, postponed bond hearings, and administrative inertia. In many cases, detainees remain in custody simply because their case has not yet been heard.
Civil liberties advocates argue this creates de facto punishment without conviction.
Family Says Detention Has Taken Heavy Toll
Relatives describe Hamqa as a deeply involved father and an active member of Dearborn’s Lebanese and Arab American community, known for volunteer work and helping others.
His absence, they say, has disrupted daily family life and caused serious emotional distress — particularly for his children, who have struggled with the prolonged separation.
“The uncertainty is the hardest part,” a family representative said. “There’s no clear timeline, no resolution, and no explanation for why he’s still being held while his case is pending.”
Petition Launched as Public Support Grows
In response, the family has launched an online petition calling for Hamqa’s release. The petition emphasizes his clean record, strong community ties, and role as a devoted father, arguing that continued detention serves no public safety purpose.
Supporters say alternatives to detention — such as supervised release, monitoring, or bond — are readily available and would allow Hamqa to return home while his case proceeds.
Local residents, advocacy groups, and faith leaders have amplified the petition through social media and community events, framing the case as part of a broader pattern of prolonged immigration detention without transparency.
What Remains Unknown
Despite months of detention:
ICE has not released a detailed public explanation
Court filings have not been made public
No official criminal allegations have been disclosed
That lack of transparency has fueled outrage and organizing within Dearborn and beyond.
Why This Case Resonates in Dearborn
Dearborn is home to one of the largest Arab and Lebanese American populations in the United States. Many residents see Hamqa’s case as emblematic of:
Arbitrary immigration detention
Families being torn apart with no timelines
Civil detention operating with minimal public accountability
For supporters, the issue transcends politics and centers on basic fairness, due process, and family unity.
Bottom Line
Hassan Hamqa was detained due to an immigration status or procedural issue, not a criminal charge. He remains in custody because the immigration system allows prolonged civil detention while cases crawl through backlogged courts — even when families and communities bear the human cost.
As the months pass, supporters say their demand is simple: transparency, due process, and the chance for a father to be home while his case is fairly adjudicated.
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