ICE arrested an activist in Colorado
April 9, 2025
Jeanette Vizguerra, a prominent immigrant and labor rights activist in Colorado, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Jeanette Vizguerra, a prominent immigrant and labor rights activist in Colorado, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She is currently being held in an ICE facility in Aurora, Colorado, awaiting deportation to Mexico. ICE claims that Vizguerra entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 1997 and has a final deportation order. However, her legal team challenges the validity of this order, arguing that it was reinstated incorrectly and that she has received due process. A hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2025, in which U.S. District Judge Nina Wang will consider these arguments and decide on her potential release.
This arrest is particularly significant, as Vizguerra’s case gained national attention during the previous Trump administration. She became known as an immigrant rights activist after, in 2017, to avoid deportation, she moved into a church basement with her three children. Later, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2017.
On March 17, Vizguerra was arrested by ICE while on a break from her job at Target (a store that, by the way, has openly declared itself non-protective of immigrants). According to reports, during the arrest, officials told her, "We finally have you." This statement has been interpreted by many as a clear example of persecution toward activists.
According to The New York Times, "Her detention has already sparked backlash from Colorado’s Democratic politicians and immigrant rights advocates, who accused the Trump administration of attempting to silence critics of its harsh immigration policies."
The New York Times quoted Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who condemned the arrest of Ms. Vizguerra as "a Putin-style persecution of political dissidents," which ensnared a working-class mother who had dedicated her life to helping other undocumented immigrants.
“We don’t see this as immigration law enforcement,” he said in an interview. “This is about targeting political opponents and using the power of the government to punish them.”
Colorado Democratic Senator Michael Bennet called Ms. Vizguerra a "pillar of her community" and urged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to release her.
An ICE spokesperson confirmed her arrest to The Guardian, stating that Vizguerra was "arrested without incident" on Monday and would "remain in ICE custody pending her deportation from the United States."
The spokesperson described Vizguerra as “a convicted criminal alien from Mexico who has a final deportation order issued by a federal immigration judge” and stated that she “illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, on December 24, 1997, and has received due process in a U.S. immigration court.”
However, on Tuesday, Vizguerra's attorneys filed a writ of habeas corpus with the court, urging ICE to bring Vizguerra before the court to determine if her detention is legal.
“Vizguerra has fought her own deportation since 2009 while advocating for immigrant rights, labor protections, and family unity,” they stated in a release from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
In conclusion, this particular case draws attention not only because Vizguerra was arrested, but also because it is another concerning case related to activists being repressed for being openly against the policies of the Trump administration.
At Pikes Peak Immigration, we continue to fight for immigrant rights. If you have any questions or need advice on immigration matters, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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New federal rule leaves thousands of work-authorized immigrants without commercial driver’s licenses
Various recent media outlets confirm that a new rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, prevents immigrants with work authorization—including asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—from obtaining or maintaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), affecting hundreds of thousands of drivers. Reports from outlets such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and CalMatters indicate that the measure is already causing the loss of licenses and jobs, as well as potential impacts on the supply chain. Meanwhile, labor and legal organizations have filed lawsuits, such as Rivera Lujan v. FMCSA , arguing that the rule is illegal, discriminatory, and severely harms the livelihoods of thousands of families. The administration implemented a rule that prevents asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing CDLs. Lawsuits say it will “destroy livelihoods” A transportation-focused publication confirms the language used by plaintiffs: Attorneys stated that the rule “threatens to destroy the livelihoods” of thousands of drivers. It explains that asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients are excluded. Real impact: loss of licenses and jobs A recent CalMatters report shows that this is already happening: Thousands of immigrant truck drivers have already lost their licenses in California. Many have been left unemployed and in legal uncertainty. It is estimated that up to 61,000 could lose their licenses in that state alone. Economic and industry effects Driving schools report a sharp decline in student enrollment due to the new rules. Companies and analysts warn that the measure reduces the workforce and may increase costs. Implementation of the rule (key detail) Legal and regulatory sources confirm: The rule went into effect on March 16, 2026. It only allows CDLs for certain visa types (H-2A, H-2B, E-2). Other work-authorized statuses no longer qualify. Recently, The Guardian published an article analyzing the impact of this measure on driving schools. Start CDL, a driving school founded by immigrants Asyl Kushnir and Gene Moik, is facing possible closure due to a sharp decline in student enrollment following new restrictions implemented during the administration of Donald Trump. Enrollment dropped from nearly 100 students per month to just 25–30, seriously affecting revenue despite high demand for drivers. According to its owners, the changes have created confusion and reduced access for immigrants with work permits—such as asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—who previously saw trucking as a stable job opportunity. This serves as a small example of the different angles from which this new policy must be analyzed. In summary ✔️ The rule exists and is already in effect ✔️ It directly affects immigrants with work authorization ✔️ There are active lawsuits (such as the one you mentioned) ✔️ Media reports confirm real losses of jobs and licenses
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