Diego de la Vega, a former staffer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, self-deported to Colombia amid dissatisfaction with U.S. immigration reforms, the New York Post reported.
In 2001, at just seven years old, Diego de la Vega arrived in the United States with his family from Ecuador. Upon entering with a visitor's visa, de la Vega inadvertently overstayed, creating the baseline for a future in limbo within the U.S. immigration system. This early experience marked the beginning of his unintended, permanent stay.
As de la Vega grew, so did his awareness and involvement in political matters, motivated by personal circumstances directly linked to immigration policies. His activism surged in 2010 after the U.S. Senate failed to pass The Dream Act, which aimed to provide legal status to young undocumented immigrants in good standing.
Entering the realm of politics, de la Vega first served as a special assistant to former Harlem Assemblymember Robert J. Rodriguez. His commitment and understanding of the intricacies of immigration laws deepened through these early roles, which led to an internship with U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney. These positions strengthened his resolve and advocacy for immigration reforms.
By 2019, de la Vega had climbed the ranks to a significant role in New York City’s political scene, joining Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign. His efforts and alignment with Ocasio-Cortez’s views on immigration led to his eventual appointment as her deputy communications director.
Despite his achievements and rising profile in political circles, Diego de la Vega felt a growing frustration with the slow pace of legislative progress on immigration. His dissatisfaction culminated during the tenure of President Biden, despite Democrats holding the House, Senate, and White House.
De la Vega vocalized his displeasure regarding the stagnant state of immigration reform. "Protections are going away, regardless of who is in the White House. The strategy hasn’t adapted to the modern era," he expressed during an interview with Migrant Insider. This statement underscored his broader discontent with the handling of immigration policies under various administrations, including under President Biden.
His departure to Colombia was described as "bittersweet" by de la Vega. He hadn't left the U.S. since his childhood arrival and the move felt like an "exile," a sentiment reflective of his deep ties and simultaneous disconnection from the U.S. However, he acknowledged that relocating felt like the right decision, stressing the permanent nature of this transition for both him and his wife.
Despite the geographical and emotional distance from the U.S., de la Vega continues to support and commend Ocasio-Cortez for their shared efforts during his tenure. "We were always honest with voters in New York City,” he recalled. “We didn’t dumb it down or tell them what they wanted to hear. We engaged with them honestly."
Ocasio-Cortez reciprocated the admiration for de la Vega, simply stating to Migrant Insider, “Diego is amazing. We love him.” This mutual respect, in turn, highlights the impact de la Vega had on the Congresswoman’s team and their shared mission.
Furthermore, the personal and professional journey of Diego de la Vega paints a nuanced portrait of the immigrant experience within the spheres of U.S. politics and policy. Ultimately, it’s a testament to the challenges faced by many who, like de la Vega, find themselves navigating the complexities of a system that directly impacts their lives and choices.
Meanwhile, now in Colombia, de la Vega's story continues as he embraces a new chapter, albeit far from the country he once fought to reshape. As a result, his life remains a vivid illustration of the ongoing dialogue surrounding immigration in America, influenced by those who live it firsthand.
