An illegal immigrant who was taken into federal custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after speaking at a public event about her expired status as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient has been released from detention, her attorneys announced on Friday evening.
Daniela Vargas was apprehended on March 1 after speaking at a public demonstration about protecting illegal immigrants in Jackson, Miss. Vargas said she worried about being deported because of her lack of permission to be in the U.S.
The 22-year-old was picked up by ICE agents following the event and later released under an order of supervision, though additional information is not known. Her lawyers have said they will pursue “course filings regarding the reason and manner” of Vargas’ detention.
“We expect Daniela to return to her friends and community in Mississippi shortly to resume her daily life and pursue her dreams,” her immigration lawyers said in a statement.
Vargas arrived in the U.S. from Argentina 15 years ago. She was one of 750,000 illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. as a minor and was later approved to receive Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which gives each person legal presence to remain in the country for two years. However, Vargas failed to renew her DACA status before it expired.
Peterson said Vargas’ renewal application is pending and said ICE agents responded that she was considered a “visa overstay.” She was said to have filed DACA renewal papers days before she was picked up.
