Immigration Activist Jeanette Vizguerra Detained by ICE, Sparking Outcry

DENVER – Jeanette Vizguerra, a prominent figure in the immigrant rights movement who garnered national attention for seeking sanctuary in churches to avoid deportation during the Trump administration, has reportedly been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Denver area. The detention has ignited a wave of protest and concern from her family, supporters, and advocacy groups who are questioning the legality of the action and fearing her imminent deportation to Mexico.

Vizguerra, a long-time activist and mother of three U.S. citizen children, was taken into custody on Monday and is currently being held at an ICE facility located in a Denver suburb. News of her detention spread quickly through social media and activist networks, prompting immediate calls for her release and raising serious questions about the Biden administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

While USA TODAY has not been able to independently verify Vizguerra’s presence at the ICE detention center due to the 48-hour lag time in updating the agency’s detainee locator system, numerous sources close to Vizguerra and her family have confirmed the detention. The American Friends Service Community, an immigrant advocacy organization, publicly announced the detention on its Facebook page, stating that Vizguerra was detained without prior warning and expressing concern that ICE intends to proceed with her deportation despite lacking a valid deportation order.

"ICE detained Jeanette without warning and appears to be ready to deport her even though the agency knows they don’t have a valid deportation order," the organization asserted in its post. They further highlighted the legal challenges being raised by Vizguerra’s attorneys, emphasizing the "serious legal errors and lack of due process rights" surrounding the case. The organization expressed hope that ICE would reconsider its course of action.

In response to Vizguerra’s detention, her family and supporters initiated a protest vigil outside the ICE facility early Tuesday morning. Demonstrators are demanding her immediate release and calling on the Biden administration to intervene and halt any deportation proceedings. The vigil has drawn a diverse group of individuals, including fellow activists, community members, and faith leaders, all united in their support for Vizguerra and their opposition to her detention.

Vizguerra’s case gained national prominence during the Trump administration, as she became a symbol of resistance against the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. In 2017, she sought sanctuary in a Denver church, a move that allowed her to remain in the United States and avoid deportation while garnering significant media attention and public support. Her actions highlighted the plight of undocumented immigrants with deep ties to the U.S. and the devastating impact of deportation on families.

Her three children, all U.S. citizens, were central to her advocacy efforts, and her supporters effectively used her story to sway public opinion against the deportation of non-violent immigration offenders. The emotional toll on children and families separated by deportation became a powerful argument in favor of more humane and compassionate immigration policies.

Vizguerra’s initial encounter with law enforcement occurred in 2009 when she was stopped for driving without a valid license. This initial infraction triggered a series of immigration proceedings that ultimately led to her facing deportation. However, instead of remaining silent, Vizguerra became an outspoken critic of the increasing immigration enforcement measures implemented by the Trump administration, particularly those targeting sensitive locations such as churches, schools, and healthcare facilities. Her activism made her a visible and vocal advocate for immigrant rights, solidifying her position as a leader within the movement.

The current detention has raised concerns among legal experts and immigrant rights advocates regarding the legality of ICE’s actions. The assertion that ICE is attempting to deport Vizguerra despite the absence of a valid deportation order raises serious questions about due process and the agency’s adherence to legal procedures. The legal challenges being mounted by her attorneys will likely focus on these issues, seeking to demonstrate that her detention is unlawful and that her rights are being violated.

The case also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement under the Biden administration. While the administration has pledged to pursue more humane and equitable immigration policies than its predecessor, the detention of Vizguerra suggests that certain aspects of the previous administration’s enforcement strategies remain in place. Advocates are closely monitoring the case as a test of the Biden administration’s commitment to reforming the immigration system and protecting the rights of undocumented immigrants.

The outcome of Vizguerra’s case could have significant implications for other undocumented immigrants in the United States, particularly those who have been actively involved in advocating for immigrant rights. Her situation underscores the risks faced by activists who speak out against government policies and the potential for them to become targets of enforcement actions.

As the protest vigil continues outside the ICE facility and Vizguerra’s attorneys pursue legal avenues to secure her release, the case has become a focal point for the broader debate surrounding immigration policy in the United States. The coming days will be crucial in determining Vizguerra’s fate and the direction of immigration enforcement under the current administration. The nation watches as this developing story unfolds.