Jeanette Vizguerra: A Story of Resilience and Advocacy in the Face of Deportation

Introduction to Jeanette Vizguerra and Her Struggle

Jeanette Vizguerra, a mother of four and a prominent immigration and labor activist, has been at the center of a heated debate over immigration policies in the United States. Gaining prominence after seeking refuge in churches in Colorado to avoid deportation during the first Trump administration, Vizguerra’s recent detention has sparked widespread concern among immigration advocates. On Monday, she was arrested at a Denver-area Target store where she worked, according to Jordan Garcia of the American Friends Service Committee, who has been in close contact with Vizguerra’s lawyer and family. Her detention has raised questions about the fairness of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices and the treatment of undocumented immigrants.

The Legal Battle and ICE’s Role in Vizguerra’s Case

Vizguerra’s legal struggles began in 2009 when she was pulled over in suburban Denver and found to have a fraudulent Social Security card. Although she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count and agreed to self-deport to Mexico, she alleged in a 2019 lawsuit that ICE did not have a valid order to deport her. The lawsuit, which she later dropped, claimed that ICE improperly revived the deportation order after she reentered the United States. Since then, Vizguerra has been fighting to remain in the country, seeking a visa for crime victims that would allow her to stay. Her lawyers argue that ICE’s current attempt to remove her is based on an invalid order, and they have filed petitions in Denver’s federal court and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to challenge her detention. Attorney Laura Lichter emphasized that proceeding with deportation without legal authority would undermine due process and the rule of law.

Community Outcry and Advocacy for Vizguerra’s Release

News of Vizguerra’s detention has prompted a strong reaction from the community. A protest was held outside an ICE detention center in Aurora, where her family reported she is being held. Buses were seen leaving the facility in the morning, raising fears of imminent deportation, but her family confirmed she remained there later in the day. In a statement, her family expressed hope that ICE would work with her attorney to secure her immediate release. The American Friends Service Committee has been actively involved in advocating for her case, highlighting the broader implications of her detention for immigrants’ rights.

Background: Vizguerra’s Journey and Sanctuary in Churches

Vizguerra’s journey to the United States began in 1997 when she moved to Colorado from Mexico City. Her legal troubles began in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2017, under the first Trump administration, that she sought sanctuary in churches to avoid deportation. During this time, she gained support from Colorado’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Michael Bennet and then-Rep. Jared Polis, who introduced private bills to grant her a path to permanent residency. Although these measures were not renewed in 2019, Vizguerra continued her fight, leaving sanctuary in 2020 to pursue a visa for crime victims. Her case has become a symbol of the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants seeking legal status in the United States.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston Condemns the Arrest

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has been a vocal critic of Vizguerra’s detention, calling it “Putin-style persecution of political dissidents” rather than legitimate immigration enforcement. Johnston, a strong defender of Denver’s sanctuary city policies, urged the public to demand Vizguerra’s release and uphold her due process rights. His statement reflects broader concerns about the targeting of immigration activists and the erosion of protections for undocumented individuals underCertain administrations. Johnston’s advocacy underscores the importance of local leadership in supporting immigrants and challenging federal policies perceived as unjust.

The Broader Implications of Vizguerra’s Case

Jeanette Vizguerra’s story is more than just a personal struggle; it represents the complexities and challenges faced by countless undocumented immigrants in the United States. Her detention has highlighted the tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, as well as the human cost of deportation for families and communities. As her case continues to unfold, it serves as a rallying cry for advocates pushing for immigration reform and greater protections for vulnerable populations. Vizguerra’s resilience and activism remind us of the importance of standing up for justice and fairness in a system often criticized for marginalizing those it is supposed to protect.