DENVER (AP) — Jeanette Vizguerra, a notable immigration activist in Colorado, has been released from an immigration detention center after spending nine months in custody. Her release came after a judge ruled she could post a bond of $5,000, according to the American Friends Service Committee.
Photos released by the group show Vizguerra embracing her family outside the detention center in Aurora, Colorado. Vizguerra, a mother of four, gained significant attention for seeking sanctuary in various churches during the Trump administration to avoid being deported. In 2017, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people.
Her legal troubles began in 2009 when she was found with a fraudulent Social Security card during a traffic stop. She has been battling deportation ever since, with her case including a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that claimed the deportation order against her was never valid.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement insisting that Vizguerra’s case reflected their standard practices and that they would continue to prioritize the apprehension of undocumented individuals regardless of legal status or notoriety.
While thanking her legal team, who have often worked pro bono, Vizguerra emphasized that her struggle transcends her personal situation, framing it as a fight for constitutional rights and the dignity of all people.
As her legal battles continue, the outcome remains uncertain, with advocates hopeful for her permanent stay in the U.S.
