A federal judge has ruled that immigration authorities must provide detained activist Jeanette Vizguerra with a bail hearing by December 24, 2023. This decision, made by U.S. District Court Judge Nina Wang in Denver, offers a potential path for Vizguerra’s temporary release from federal immigration detention, where she has spent nine months.
Vizguerra, an immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in March 2023 as part of ongoing efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport individuals without proper legal status. The ruling mandates that authorities allow Vizguerra to seek bail before an immigration judge at the Aurora detention center, with her hearing scheduled for Friday morning.
If granted bail, she would be released while her immigration case continues in court. Judge Wang noted that the legal process could extend for “many months or even years” as Vizguerra fights her deportation in both federal and immigration courts.
Background on Vizguerra’s Activism
Born in Mexico, Vizguerra has lived in the United States for over thirty years and has consistently advocated against deportation efforts. In 2011, she accepted a voluntary departure but continued to face challenges regarding her immigration status. During the first term of the Trump administration, she took refuge in a Denver church to avoid deportation, earning recognition from TIME as one of the most influential people of 2017.
Her advocacy has drawn significant attention, but it also resulted in her arrest in March 2023. Her attorneys contend that her detention was a targeted effort due to her activism, a claim that Judge Wang acknowledged raised “serious due process concerns.” Following her arrest, ICE celebrated her detention on social media, with one agent reportedly stating, “We finally got you.”
Implications of the Ruling
The court’s decision is significant, as it underscores ongoing debates surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of activists. Judge Wang’s ruling highlights potential violations of due process rights, particularly in cases where individuals are allegedly targeted for their speech and advocacy.
As the hearing approaches, the outcome may have far-reaching implications not only for Vizguerra but also for others in similar circumstances. The legal community and immigrant rights advocates will be closely monitoring the situation, as it reflects broader themes of immigration enforcement and civil rights in the current political landscape.
