AOC Staffer is Illegal Migrant, Self Deports

If you were wondering what good old AOC has been up to, wonder no more. A few weeks ago she held an online town hall style meeting specifically geared towards illegal aliens that reside in her district. The intent of the meeting was to inform the illegals of the made-up rights they have as noncitizens. 

Tom Homan then said he wanted Pam Bondi to look into whether or not this was at least obstruction of justice. That story faded away with little to no action on it that we have seen in public. Some speculated that it was covered under free speech, other stated that it breaks federal immigration law along with a few others. 

Now however, it has come out that Diego de la Vega, a former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), has reportedly chosen to leave the United States and return to Colombia after spending over two decades in the country as an undocumented immigrant. His decision to self-deport marks the end of a long chapter in his life, one that began when he arrived in the U.S. from Ecuador at the age of seven on a visitor’s visa that he eventually overstayed. Now 30, de la Vega reflects on his journey with a mix of emotions, describing his return to South America as both a personal liberation and a form of exile.

In an interview with Migrant Insider, de la Vega expressed relief at no longer living under the constant pressure of his undocumented status. "It feels surreal to not be illegalized anymore," he said. "I don’t have to live in the shadows or constantly worry about paperwork. The freedom of movement here is incredibly satisfying." Despite the bittersweet nature of his departure, he and his wife believe they made the right decision, finding solace in their new life in Colombia.

De la Vega’s story, however, raises questions about his employment history with Ocasio-Cortez, particularly given the legal restrictions on hiring non-citizens for paid congressional positions. While DACA recipients are barred from such roles, de la Vega’s exact immigration status during his time working for the congresswoman remains unclear. Ocasio-Cortez has publicly praised de la Vega, calling him "amazing" and expressing her admiration for his work.

Before joining Ocasio-Cortez’s team, de la Vega was deeply involved in immigrant rights advocacy, spurred by the failure of the Dream Act in 2010. He later worked as communications director for Robert Rodriguez, a former New York State Assembly member, and eventually joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign in 2021, rising to the position of deputy communications director. Throughout his career, de la Vega emphasized transparency and honesty in his work, particularly when engaging with constituents. "We didn’t dumb it down or tell them what they wanted to hear," he said. "We listened and explained that Alexandria was fighting for reform, but Republicans were blocking it."

Despite his dedication to the immigration reform movement, de la Vega grew increasingly disillusioned with its lack of progress. "Protections are going away, regardless of who is in the White House," he noted. "The strategy hasn’t adapted to the modern era. Biden had a trifecta—the House, Senate, and White House—but dropped the ball." His frustration with the political landscape, coupled with his personal circumstances, ultimately led him to make the difficult decision to leave the U.S. "Modern times" do not mean we allow everyone from the third world into a country unvetted. 

Reflecting on his childhood, de la Vega recalled the fear and uncertainty that came with living as an undocumented immigrant. Yet, he also cherishes the memories of growing up in New York, where he built a life and a career. While he acknowledges that he may not be able to return to the U.S. for many years, he finds fulfillment in being "home" in Colombia. 

Meanwhile, a sitting member of congress has hired a non-citizen to work within the government. It is illegal to have done that. Under U.S. law, specifically the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), it is unlawful for any employer, including the federal government, to knowingly hire or continue employing an individual who is not authorized to work in the United States. Federal government positions typically require U.S. citizenship or, at minimum, legal work authorization, such as a valid visa or Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Undocumented immigrants do not have such authorization, making them ineligible for government employment. Violations of this law can result in civil fines or criminal penalties for employers, though enforcement within the government itself is stringent due to security and eligibility requirements.

One aspect of immigration law states that a guilty party must have been proven to have knowingly hired an illegal alien. Not by mistake. There also needs to be a provable pattern. Given the town hall from a few weeks ago, compiled with the fact that she knowingly hired an illegal alien to work within our own government, I would definitely say there is a pattern here. 

It remains to be seen what happens here, but I suspect something will be done with President Trump at the helm of the Executive.