Wed Mar 19 22:28:24 UTC 2025: ## Prominent Immigration Activist Detained, Sparking Outrage
**Denver, CO** – Jeanette Vizguerra, a high-profile immigration advocate and mother of four, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday and faces deportation, prompting widespread condemnation from human rights groups, lawmakers, and community leaders. This marks what appears to be the first instance of a prominent immigration activist being targeted for deportation during President Trump’s second term.
Vizguerra, a resident of Colorado for 30 years, has been a vocal advocate for undocumented immigrants, working with organizations such as Colorado’s Rights for All People and the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. She was even named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2017.
ICE justified Vizguerra’s arrest citing past misdemeanors: using a forged Social Security number and illegally re-entering the US after a brief trip to Mexico. However, critics argue that these minor offenses do not warrant deportation, especially given her extensive community involvement and lack of violent criminal history. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council stated, “She’s no dangerous radical. That’s just ridiculous.”
Supporters claim Vizguerra’s detention is an attempt to silence dissent, particularly amidst the Trump administration’s intensified deportation efforts. These efforts include the rollback of enforcement protections and the invocation of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.
Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver called the detention “Putin-style persecution of political dissidents,” while Senator Michael Bennet and Governor Jared Polis expressed their support for Vizguerra, emphasizing her positive contributions to the community and her right to due process.
Vizguerra’s lawyers have filed an emergency appeal, arguing that the existing deportation order is flawed. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for her legal defense. Protests have already taken place, with more planned, demonstrating widespread community support for Vizguerra and opposition to her deportation. The situation highlights the escalating tensions surrounding immigration policy under the Trump administration.
First Piper 