A former aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has departed the United States — relocating to Colombia after spending more than two decades in the country without legal status. His employment in a congressional office while unlawfully present in the country is now raising questions.
Diego de la Vega — originally from Ecuador — came to the U.S. on a tourist visa as a child but overstayed — living in the country for 23 years. He became involved in immigration activism before securing a role in Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign in 2021 and later working as her deputy communications director.
DID YOU KNOW
AOC's campaign’s Deputy Communication Director was an illegal? He has now self-deported from the US to Colombia.
Why was a sitting member of Congress employing an illegal? pic.twitter.com/UxwZdtjBnI
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 7, 2025
DACA recipients are prohibited from working in congressional offices — making de la Vega’s employment a point of controversy. Despite this — Ocasio-Cortez praised her former aide — stating — “Diego is amazing. We love him.”
De la Vega described his decision to leave the U.S. as a difficult but necessary choice — saying that he and his wife — who was also in the U.S. illegally — wanted a fresh start in Colombia. He expressed relief at no longer having to navigate the complexities of immigration status.
AOC’S ILLEGAL HIRE SCANDAL EXPLODES
🚨 BREAKING: AOC knowingly put an illegal alien—zero work papers, pure lawbreaker—on payroll as her CHIEF OF STAFF.
AOC IS GOING TO JAIL.
Straight-up violated 8 U.S.C. § 1324a, the fed law banning this exact move. She KNEW, hired anyway,… pic.twitter.com/zNtjg8XiNO
— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) March 8, 2025
His departure comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration enforcement. Border removals have increased — and policies preventing illegal immigrants from working in government positions have been under greater scrutiny.
While he has no immediate plans to return to the U.S. — de la Vega acknowledged that it may be years before he is eligible to do so.
