Diego de la Vega, former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has self-deported to Colombia after overstaying his U.S. visa since childhood. His departure brings forth questions about his illegal employment in Congress. While expressing mixed emotions about leaving the U.S., he embraces life in Colombia and reflects on his journey and the state of immigration reforms.
Diego de la Vega, a former aide to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has reportedly self-deported to Colombia from the United States. De la Vega, originally from Ecuador, overstayed his visitor’s visa after immigrating at the age of seven in 2001. His departure raises questions regarding his employment status with the congresswoman, as he worked in Congress while being in the country illegally.
In an interview, de la Vega expressed mixed emotions about his move, stating, “It’s bittersweet. I hadn’t left the country in 23 years — from age seven to age 30. Now, I can’t go back to the U.S. It feels like exile.” He views his decision positively, remarking that living in Colombia allows him to experience freedom of movement and to no longer worry about legal status.
De la Vega became politically engaged after the failure of the Dream Act in 2010. He worked with an immigrant rights group before serving as communications director for Robert Rodriguez in the New York State Assembly. He joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign in 2021 and later became her deputy communications director despite being a non-citizen, a point that is at odds with the stipulations for employment in congressional offices.
Ocasio-Cortez praised de la Vega, stating, “Diego is amazing. We love him.” De la Vega emphasized the transparency of their engagement with constituents, sharing that they did not simply cater to what voters wanted to hear. He voiced concerns over the current state of the immigration movement and expressed disappointment regarding the lack of progress made despite the Democratic majority in government.
Reflecting on his childhood in America, de la Vega acknowledged the fear he often felt but described having a good upbringing in New York. Although he may not return to the United States for an extended period, he finds comfort in being back in Colombia, stating, “it feels fulfilling to be home.”
Diego de la Vega’s self-deportation to Colombia raises significant questions regarding his employment as an aide to Representative Ocasio-Cortez while being in the United States illegally. His experiences and reflections highlight the challenges faced by undocumented individuals in the political sphere and the ongoing concerns related to immigration reform. Ultimately, de la Vega values his newfound freedom in Colombia despite the emotional complexity of leaving the U.S.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
