Mississippi immigrant to be released; had spoken about fears
JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi immigrant who made national headlines when she was detained after speaking out a news conference is set to be released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Daniela Vargas, 22, will be released Friday under an Order of Supervision from the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, La., her attorney, Abby Peterson, said Friday.
The details of her release were not immediately available.
Vargas, of Morton, Miss., has been in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy. She was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents March 1 shortly after speaking at a news conference in downtown Jackson, Peterson said.
Peterson issued a statement Friday morning.
"We expect Daniela to return to her friends and community in Mississippi shortly to resume her daily life and pursue her dreams," she said. "Court filings regarding the reason and manner of arrest and detention continue to be pursued in an effort to secure Daniela’s rights. We maintain our commitment to the rights of all persons in the U.S., regardless of immigration status. We appreciate the ongoing support and work of the Southern Poverty Law Center, National Immigration Law Center, United We Dream, and the many others who have come out in support of Daniela."
Related: Lawyers for outspoken Mississippi immigrant rush to stop her deportation
When reached Friday morning, Thomas Byrd, ICE spokesman, declined to comment.
"We have no further comments on the case," said Byrd.
Vargas, who came to the United States from Argentina when she was 7 years old, was being treated as a "visa overstay" meaning she does not have the right to a bond or a hearing.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Immigration Law Center, the law firm of Elmore & Peterson and the Law Office of William Most filed a habeas petition Monday for her release in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division, said Michelle Lapointe, senior staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Related: Miss. immigrant faces deportation without hearing
Vargas was speaking against deportation at the March 1 news conference. Her father and brother were detained outside their home by ICE agents Feb. 15. Vargas hid in the closet. When agents discovered her, she was temporarily handcuffed and then released.
After her father and brother were detained, Vargas went into hiding. She came out of hiding to speak at the news conference.
Follow Sarah Fowler on Twitter: @FowlerSarah
Related: Immigrant talks about deportation fears, is detained by ICE moments later