Everyone must obey the law. Even AOC and her team.
An illegal immigrant who previously worked for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign has self-deported left the United States for Colombia, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow pace of progressive immigration reform. Diego de la Vega, who first arrived in the U.S. at age 7, shared his story with Migrant Insider, saying that although leaving the U.S. felt like a permanent exile, he and his wife felt confident about their decision. “It’s bittersweet. I hadn’t left the country in 23 years—since I was seven. Now, I can’t go back, and it feels like exile. But after some time here, it’s been a real pleasure,” de la Vega explained.
De la Vega’s frustration stems from the lack of progress on immigration reform, even with a Democratic trifecta in Washington. “Biden had control of the House, Senate, and the White House, but he dropped the ball,” he said, referring to the failure of the Biden administration to enact meaningful changes for those like him, who are living in the U.S. without legal status. Despite the political setbacks, de la Vega remains disillusioned by the lack of action on immigration reform.
De la Vega’s political journey began in 2010, after the failure of the Dream Act in the Senate. Despite his illegal status, he managed to gain influence in New York’s Democratic political circles, working for prominent figures like former Assemblymember Robert J. Rodriguez and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney. In 2022, he joined Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign, ultimately serving as Deputy Communication Director until December.
Ocasio-Cortez has praised de la Vega, calling him “amazing” and expressing admiration for his work. However, de la Vega’s time working for the progressive representative also reflected the ongoing division on immigration reform. He claims that while working for AOC, he and his team remained candid with voters in New York, emphasizing that while Ocasio-Cortez was fighting for reform, it was Republicans who were standing in the way of progress.
De la Vega’s departure from the U.S. symbolizes the frustration many immigrants feel as the country continues to grapple with an immigration system that remains broken. Despite his personal involvement in the political landscape, de la Vega’s move reflects a deeper sentiment that reform is stagnating, with neither party fully addressing the issue in a way that provides lasting solutions.
