A former communications aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has voluntarily left the U.S. after living in the country illegally for more than 20 years, a move that has sparked debate over how he was employed in a congressional office.
Diego de la Vega, an Ecuadorian national, came to the U.S. in 2001 on a visitor visa and never left. He spent years involved in political activism, ultimately securing a role on Ocasio-Cortez’s 2021 re-election campaign before becoming 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
While DACA recipients are legally prohibited from holding paid congressional positions, de la Vega worked for Ocasio-Cortez in an official capacity. The congresswoman has yet to clarify how he was able to do so, though she praised his work, saying, “Diego is amazing.”
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
De la Vega and his wife, who also lived in the U.S. illegally, moved to Colombia, describing the transition as bittersweet. He acknowledged that the decision was permanent, as he is not eligible to return to the U.S. anytime soon.
His departure coincides with the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which has resulted in increased removals and fewer migrant crossings at the southern border.
Though de la Vega expressed disappointment with the lack of immigration reforms under Democrats, he said he is at peace with his move and is embracing his new life in Colombia.
