DENVER (AP) — A prominent Colorado immigration and labor activist, Jeanette Vizguerra, was released Monday after spending nine months in immigration detention, as confirmed by her supporters. Vizguerra's release came a day after a judge ruled she could post a $5,000 bond, as detailed by the American Friends Service Committee, which has provided support throughout her legal battles.
Supporting images show Vizguerra with her family just outside the Aurora detention center, signaling a joyous reunion after a lengthy struggle. Vizguerra, a mother of four, is well-known for seeking refuge in churches to evade deportation during the first Trump administration, a stand that earned her recognition from Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people in 2017.
She was arrested earlier this year while utilizing her right to work in the parking lot of a Denver-area Target store. Following her release, the Department of Homeland Security stated that Vizguerra had received full due process, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to enforcing immigration laws, regardless of an individual's prominence.
Vizguerra, who emigrated from Mexico City in 1997, has faced deportation proceedings since 2009 stemming from a previous traffic stop that revealed a fraudulent Social Security card. She contends that she was misled regarding the validity of the number linked to her identity. Consequently, her legal representatives have challenged ICE's efforts to deport her based on an insecure order.
A federal judge has ordered a hearing to assess whether Vizguerra could be released from detention as her case continues to unfold. Expressing gratitude towards her legal team and supporters, Vizguerra noted, This fight is about the constitutional rights we all share, human rights and dignity for all people. Her experience underscored broader issues surrounding immigration policy in the United States and the challenges faced by many individuals seeking a better life.
