A lawyer representing Colorado immigrants’ rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra claims Vizguerra’s 1st Amendment Rights are being bridged by her detention. They argue that her detention was retaliatory, linked to her criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and her activism.
As a result, a court hearing scheduled for Friday was canceled, and U.S. District Judge Nina Wang instead set a status conference. The allegations came as the status conference unfolded. Vizguerra’s counsel and the US Attorney have been preparing to argue over the legality of Vizguerra’s detention by ICE authorities since March 17.
“This isn’t about making America safer or making our borders more secure. This is about chaos,” said Vizguerra’s attorney, Laura Lichter. “I believe that the targeting here of Jeanette is in line with what we’re seeing in other types of cases, where people are being targeted for showing up at a protest, for posting certain messages on social media, for having a particular opinion. I believe that’s unconstitutional. I believe it’s un-American.”
Her attorney said she will change the petition to allege Vizguerra’s 1st Amendment rights are being violated. The US attorney did not comment on the allegation in court. The government has three weeks to respond and is barred from deporting Vizguerra while the case is ongoing. The next step could be weeks ahead.
