A former communications staffer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has departed the U.S. for Colombia after living in the country illegally for more than two decades — raising questions about how he was employed while working for a congressional campaign.

Diego de la Vega — who was born in Ecuador — entered the U.S. in 2001 on a visitor’s visa but overstayed — making him an illegal immigrant. He remained in the country for 23 years before choosing to leave — stating that he no longer wanted to live “in the shadows.”

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

“It feels surreal to not be illegalized anymore,” de la Vega said — celebrating what he described as his newfound “freedom of movement” in Colombia.

De la Vega became politically involved following the 2010 failure of the Dream Act. He worked in immigrant advocacy before becoming communications director for a New York state legislator. In 2021 — he joined Ocasio-Cortez’s re-election campaign and later served as her deputy communications director.

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 employment raises legal questions — as federal law prevents DACA recipients from holding paid congressional positions. Ocasio-Cortez has praised de la Vega despite these concerns — calling him “amazing.”

De la Vega acknowledged frustration with U.S. immigration policy — blaming Democrats for failing to deliver on promised reforms. While he said he may not return to the U.S. “for many years” — he described his move as “fulfilling.”