ICE arrests Denver immigrant rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra

Jeanette Vizguerra, a well-known activist for immigrant rights, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside a Target store in Denver on Monday. Her family reported that the agents laughed during the arrest. Vizguerra is known for creating a network of sanctuary spaces to support immigrants at risk of deportation. She spent three years living in a church in Denver, which strengthened her commitment to advocating for immigrants. Family and friends describe her as a warrior and a key member of Denver's immigrant rights community. Although her immigration status is unclear, a petition suggests she is a permanent U.S. resident. She is currently being held in a detention center in Aurora, and advocates worry she may be moved to another state. Vizguerra has lived in Colorado for 30 years and faced deportation in 2009 after a traffic stop. As news of her detention spread, she had recently spoken out against the Trump administration's strict immigration policies on social media. This included sharing a post about ICE's plans to expand detention facilities in the Denver area. Colorado's Democratic Senators, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, have called for Vizguerra's release. Hickenlooper expressed concern over targeting a long-time community member, saying it does not address issues in the immigration system. Bennet urged that Vizguerra be given legal representation and released immediately. This incident is part of a larger trend of aggressive immigration enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security. Recently, other individuals, including a doctor and a young woman who was brought to the U.S. as a child, have also faced deportation despite existing legal protections. The situation has raised serious concerns among activists and lawmakers about due process and the treatment of immigrants in the country.