Illegal immigrant speaks out at press conference, immediately gets detained by ICE

An illegal immigrant in Jackson, Mississippi, who had just delivered a speech at a news conference Wednesday to voice her fears about deportation, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement only moments later.

Daniela Vargas, 22, spoke at the news conference hosted by immigration attorneys, churches and the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance to highlight families in the area who were affected by deportation, according to The Clarion-Ledger. In February, Vargas said she hid in her home closet as ICE agents detained her brother and father. She was temporarily handcuffed after being discovered by the agents but later released.

Vargas came to America from Argentina with her family at age 7 and was legally able to reside in the United States by using the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. Vargas's attorney, Abby Peterson, told reporters that her DACA status had recently expired and she was awaiting her renewal when she was captured and detained by ICE on Wednesday.

Vargas spoke about her hopes of amnesty for illegal immigrants currently living in the country. "A path for citizenship is necessary for DACA recipients but also for the other 11 million undocumented people with dreams," she said.

Peterson told reporters that after the event Vargas was riding home in the car with a friend when ICE agents pulled them over.

"You know who we are, you know what we're here for," the agents allegedly told Vargas. She was immediately taken into custody and her friend was released.

Vargas is currently being held in ICE detention with no bond.