A former congressional staffer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has left the U.S. after living illegally in the country for more than two decades — raising questions about his employment in a political office.
Diego de la Vega — who entered the U.S. from Ecuador in 2001 on a visitor visa — overstayed and remained in the country for 23 years. He worked in political activism before joining Ocasio-Cortez’s 2021 re-election campaign — later serving 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
His employment in a congressional office is controversial — as federal law bars DACA recipients from holding paid positions in Congress. The specifics of how de la Vega was employed remain unclear — though Ocasio-Cortez publicly praised him — stating — “Diego is amazing. We love him.”
De la Vega recently relocated to Colombia with his wife — another former illegal immigrant. He described his move as permanent — saying he finally feels free from the burden of immigration concerns.
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 coincides with increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration — which has been cracking down on individuals unlawfully residing in the country.
While de la Vega has stated that he may not return to the U.S. for years — he emphasized that he is content with his decision to leave.
