Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s former aide, an illegal immigrant who benefited from DACA protections, has self-deported to Colombia after working on her campaign. The controversial employment arrangement raises serious questions about potential legal loopholes used by the progressive congresswoman.
At a glance:
- Diego de la Vega, AOC’s former aide and an illegal immigrant, has self-deported to Colombia
- De la Vega overstayed a visitor’s visa since 2001 after arriving from Ecuador at age seven
- DACA recipients cannot legally hold paid congressional positions, raising questions about his employment
- Ocasio-Cortez allegedly used a loophole to employ de la Vega on her re-election campaign in 2021
- De la Vega previously helped secure $2.1 billion in relief checks for illegal aliens in New York
AOC’s Controversial Staffing Decision
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appears to have skirted immigration laws by employing Diego de la Vega, an illegal immigrant who overstayed his visitor’s visa since 2001. The hiring has raised significant legal and ethical questions as DACA recipients are prohibited from holding paid positions in congressional offices.
De la Vega joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign in 2021 and eventually became her Deputy Communications Director, despite his illegal status. Under federal law, congressional offices cannot employ DACA recipients in paid positions, suggesting AOC may have exploited a loophole to bring him onto her team.
The DACA Recipient’s Background
Born in Quito, Ecuador, de la Vega came to the United States at age seven and lived in New York illegally for 23 years. He became politically active after the Dream Act failed in 2010, eventually working for an immigrant rights group and as Communications Director for Robert Rodriguez.
Before joining AOC’s team, de la Vega worked as a communications worker in the New York State Assembly and for Make the Road NY, where he advocated for illegal aliens. His political activism reached its peak when he helped secure $2.1 billion in 2021 for relief checks to illegal aliens in New York.
Self-Deportation and Criticism of Administration
De la Vega has now self-deported to Colombia, saying he may not return to the United States for many years. The former aide expressed frustration with the current state of the immigration movement and criticized the Biden administration for failing to advance meaningful immigration reform.
Despite his exile, AOC has publicly praised de la Vega, stating, “Diego is amazing. We love him.”
