A former deputy communications director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has left the U.S. for Colombia after spending more than two decades in the country illegally — raising concerns about how he was able to work in a congressional office despite his immigration status.
Diego de la Vega — originally from Ecuador — entered the U.S. in 2001 on a visitor visa but remained in the country illegally after overstaying. He spent years working in progressive politics — eventually joining Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign in 2021 before being promoted to 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
Despite federal laws barring DACA recipients from holding paid congressional positions — de la Vega worked for Ocasio-Cortez’s office. The congresswoman has not explained how he was employed but has publicly praised him — saying — “Diego is amazing. We love him.”
De la Vega and his wife — who was also living in the U.S. illegally — chose to relocate to Colombia — citing relief from the burden of immigration concerns. He described the move as permanent — acknowledging that he may not be able to return to the U.S. for many years.
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 ramps up immigration enforcement — with increased removals of individuals living in the U.S. illegally. This has led to renewed scrutiny of policies that allow illegal immigrants to hold political positions.
While de la Vega criticized Democrats for failing to implement lasting immigration reforms — he expressed satisfaction with his decision to leave — calling his new status in Colombia “liberating.”
