DREAMer Arrested Moments After Speaking Out Against Deportations At A News Conference

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Rogelio V. Solis / AP

US authorities arrested an undocumented immigrant Wednesday moments after she spoke out about her fear of being deported at a news conference, her attorney said.

A friend was driving Daniela Vargas, 22, away from the news conference when they were pulled over by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Jackson, Mississippi.

Vargas’ attorney, Abigail Peterson, told BuzzFeed News that Vargas had filed to renew her Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status, which gives her protection from deportation, on Feb. 10, and so was surprised she was detained.

Daniela Vargas.

Rogelio V. Solis / AP

“I don’t know if this is immigration showing us that DACA applicants are fair game until their DACA is approved,” Peterson said. “This seems to be the message we’re getting from this, which is surprising and not what I would’ve expected.”

ICE did not immediately return a request for comment.

About two weeks ago, ICE agents arrested Vargas’ father and brother at home, Peterson said. She was found hiding in a closet, but let go because she had a pending DACA renewl application.

DACA status allows undocumented immigrants to stay legally in the US to study and work for two years, so long as they commit no crimes.

“Then two weeks later, she’s picked up randomly after being involved in a public event,” Peterson said. “Does that mean ICE is following people? Do people always have to be looking over their shoulder, losing sleep, and afraid to go outside their homes?”

President Trump's administration has repeatedly insisted the ICE will continue to make those living in the US illegally with criminal records a priority, even after executive order making nearly every undocumented immigrant vulnerable to deportation.

Vargas’ friend told Peterson that ICE agents said, “You know who we are, you know what we're here for” when they pulled them over.

At the news conference, Vargas said that after the arrest of her brother and father, she was planning on moving out of the state and go to college to be a math professor.

LINK: Churches Are Readying Homes And Underground Railroads To Hide Immigrants From Deportation Under Trump

LINK: The Court Fight Over A Detained DREAMer Could Have A Major Effect On All DACA Holders’ Rights

LINK: A DREAMer Was Arrested During A Raid And Now Immigration Officials Have Been Ordered To Explain Why

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