Diego de la Vega, a former aide to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has self-deported to Colombia after living in the United States as an illegal immigrant for 23 years. Born in Ecuador, de la Vega arrived in the U.S. at the age of seven on a visitor’s visa, which he overstayed, remaining in the country illegally.
De la Vega became politically active following the failure of the Dream Act in 2010, which aimed to provide legal status for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. His activism led him to various roles, including work for immigrant rights organizations and a position as communications director for New York State Assemblymember Robert J. Rodriguez. In 2021, he joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign, eventually becoming her deputy communications director.
Despite his involvement in political advocacy, de la Vega faced legal restrictions due to his illegal status. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, like de la Vega, are barred from holding paid positions in congressional offices. This limitation prevented him from fully participating in legislative roles, leading to growing frustration over the lack of progress on immigration reform.
Disillusioned with the failure of Democrats to secure meaningful immigration policies, de la Vega and his wife, who was also in the country illegally, decided to relocate to Bogotá, Colombia, in December 2024. He described the move as bittersweet, acknowledging the permanence of their departure but also expressing relief at no longer living in the shadows. In Colombia, de la Vega has found a renewed sense of freedom, stating, “I don’t have to live in the shadows or constantly worry about paperwork. That freedom of movement is incredibly satisfying.”
Looking back on his time in the U.S., de la Vega criticized the immigration movement’s strategies, noting that protections for illegal immigrants are diminishing regardless of which political party is in power. He emphasized the need for a shift in approach to address the realities faced by those in the country without legal status.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez praised de la Vega, stating, “Diego is amazing. We love him.” His departure highlights the ongoing struggles within the U.S. immigration system, as even those deeply involved in left-wing political efforts find themselves disillusioned by the lack of progress in achieving the policies they had fought for.