Diego de la Vega, a former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has self-deported to Colombia after living in the U.S. illegally for years. Emphasizing newfound freedom, he expressed mixed feelings about leaving the U.S., where he worked despite his immigration status. His experiences highlight broader concerns about immigration reform and policies.

Diego de la Vega, a former aide to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has reportedly self-deported to Colombia, citing newfound “freedom of movement” after living in the U.S. illegally for many years. De la Vega, who immigrated from Ecuador as a child and overstayed his visitor’s visa, worked in Congress despite his immigration status, raising questions regarding his employment.

At 30 years of age, de la Vega expressed mixed feelings about his permanent move, stating, “It’s bittersweet. I hadn’t left the country in 23 years… but my wife and I are confident we made the right decision.” He reflected on the relief of not living in fear or worry about documentation, stating, “It feels surreal to not be illegalized anymore.”

His political engagement accelerated after the Dream Act’s failure in 2010. He previously held positions as communications director for New York State Assembly member Robert Rodriguez and joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign in 2021, ultimately serving as her deputy communications director.

Despite not possessing U.S. citizenship, de la Vega maintained that they were truthful with voters, advocating for immigration reform while acknowledging political challenges. His frustrations with the current direction of immigration movements were evident as he mentioned, “Protections are going away… Biden had a trifecta… but dropped the ball.”

De la Vega reminisced about his childhood in New York but acknowledged the likelihood of not returning to the U.S. for many years, though he found fulfillment in being back in his homeland.

The story of Diego de la Vega highlights complex immigration challenges and raises questions about the employment of non-citizens in U.S. legislative offices. His journey underscores the struggles faced by undocumented immigrants and reflects on immigration reform dynamics. Although de la Vega has chosen to return to Colombia, his experiences evoke critical discussions about immigration policies in the current political landscape.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com