Federal immigration agents detained an illegal immigrant who spoke at a press conference Wednesday after the woman identified herself to the public as lacking documentation to be in the U.S.
Daniela Vargas, 22, had told the crowd at an event in downtown Jackson, Miss., that she worried about being deported. Following the event, Vargas’ attorney Abby Peterson claimed her client was stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and taken into custody.
“You know who we are, you know what we’re here for,” Peterson alleged the ICE agents told Vargas.
Vargas was one of 750,000 illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as a minor and was later approved to receive Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which gives them legal presence 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.”
Vargas is currently in an immigration detention facility. As a previous visa waiver recipient, she may be able to be processed without a hearing.
