Undocumented mother Jeanette Vizguerra, formerly recognized on Time's list of the 100 Most Influential, has been apprehended by ICE in Colorado
Assertive Activist Jeanette Vizguerra, a well-known undocumented mom and passionate campaigner, has been slapped with a deeply questionable detainment in a Colorado detention facility, according to her attorney Laura Lichter. This unnerving news was made public by CNN.
Known for her provocative acts in support of immigration reform, Vizguerra became a household name and graced the cover of Time magazine as one of 100 most influential individuals worldwide in 2017.
The very moment that she was grabbed by ICE agents outside of Target, where she holds a job as a cashier, was accounted by a close family friend, Judith Marquez. She told CNN that the arrest took place during a work break.
Following her detainment, Vizguerra was capable of contacting one of her offspring. However, after that initial conversation, the family was met with silence. Marquez revealed.
The American Friends Service Committee, a renowned advocacy group, reprimanded Vizguerra's detainment and described her as an esteemed member of the community.
In their official statement, they expressed their deep concern, stating,
Vizguerra has previously faced the prospect of deportation, including in 2013. A judge granted her reprieve then.
Hailing from Mexico, Vizguerra and her family ventured to the U.S. in 1997, where she has been living as an undocumented immigrant ever since. The couple has three American-born children.
Similar to countless other immigrants, the family's pursuit of a better life led them to America. The family claimed her husband had been kidnapped on multiple occasions during his tenure as a bus driver in Mexico City.
In January this year, Vizguerra conveyed her concerns about the looming danger in an interview with CNN affiliate KCNC, stating,
This is a rapidly evolving story and will be updated accordingly.
CNN's Donie O'Sullivan contributed to this report.
Footnote:
In essence, Jeanette Vizguerra, a prominent undocumented mother and activist, was unexpectedly detained by ICE in Colorado. The captivating account of her arrest, which occurred outside a Target store while on her lunch break, was shared by a close friend. Facing detainment at the Aurora Detention Center, Vizguerra has been vocal about the need for immigration reform and received recognition as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential individuals.
Previously, she sought refuge in a Denver church to evade deportation and received a stay of deportation in 2017. Recently, community organizations and political figures have voiced their concerns and expressed their demands for her immediate release.
A brief recap of key events in Vizguerra's life and legal status, along with the community's response, is as follows:
### Timeline: + 1997: Arrival in the U.S. + 2009: Traffic stop and deportation proceedings + 2013: Convicted of illegal entry + 2017: Sought sanctuary in Denver’s First Unitarian Church and received unprecedented recognition + 2017 (May): Stay of Deportation + 2019: Returned to sanctuary + 2020: Left sanctuary, but legal status remained unclear + 2025 (March 17): Detained by ICE without a valid deportation order + 2025 (March 18-19): Advocacy and fundraising ensued
### Legal Status: + Current Detention: Aurora Detention Center (run by GEO Group) + Past Legal Actions: Multiple avenues for recourse, including Board of Immigration Appeals and a 2017 stay of deportation + Current Legal Efforts: Habeas corpus petition and Petition for Review at the 10th Circuit Court to contest her detention
### Community Response: + Protests and Advocacy: Demonstrations outside detention center and calls for her release + Political Support: Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have expressed concern and demanded her release + Fundraising: Campaigns to support her family during this time + Public Perception: Debate regarding whether Vizguerra's due process has been sufficient or if this detainment represents political targeting
The American Friends Service Committee, an esteemed advocacy group, condemned Jeanette Vizguerra's detainment, describing her as a cherished community leader who has been unjustly held. Following her detention, Vizguerra's family has been left in silence, underscoring the emotional turmoil inflicted on them due to this irreparable action. As an affiliate of this community, Vizguerra, a well-known undocumented mom and activist, was detained by ICE in Colorado.
