Jeanette Vizguerra, a well-known Colorado immigrant rights activist who once took sanctuary in a church to avoid deportation, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, according to local advocacy groups.
Vizguerra, who has been a vocal critic of U.S. immigration policies, was taken into custody at her workplace, prompting swift condemnation from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. The group called for her immediate release, arguing that her detention was politically motivated.
“Jeanette is a pillar of the community and has supported countless families,” the coalition said in a statement. “ICE had no reason to detain her—this cruel and unnecessary action is causing irreparable harm to her family and community.”
Advocates believe Vizguerra was targeted for her activism and outspoken opposition to deportations. “ICE’s actions raise serious due process concerns, and her attorneys are working to correct the legal errors behind her detention,” the organization added.
A History of Activism
Vizguerra first made national headlines in 2017 when she spent 86 days living in a Denver church to avoid deportation during President Donald Trump’s first term. Her efforts to fight her removal led to a stay granted by ICE.
She first arrived in Colorado in 1997 after fleeing Mexico, where her husband was held at gunpoint in Mexico City. She has four children—one is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, and the others are U.S. citizens.
Her activism earned her a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2017. Despite her legal battles, she has vowed to continue her work advocating for immigrant rights.
Officials Condemn the Detainment
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston sharply criticized ICE’s actions, likening the move to tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
“This is not immigration enforcement. This is a Soviet-style political persecution of dissidents under the guise of immigration enforcement,” Johnston said Tuesday. “This is a mother of American citizens who works at Target and has started a community nonprofit. This does not make our community safer.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) also weighed in, demanding transparency from federal officials. He emphasized that Vizguerra has no history of violence and does not pose a public safety threat.
“The state was not notified of her arrest,” Polis said. “We need ICE to focus on detaining violent offenders, not community members who contribute to society.”
Vizguerra’s family friend, Jardon Garcia, told The Washington Post that she has been in contact with her children and is “doing okay.” He added that she had anticipated becoming a target under the Trump administration’s policies and had kept a relatively low profile in recent years while navigating her legal status.
