It turns out that far-left U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) once had an illegal immigrant working for her. 

This, however, is only half of the story - and perhaps not the most surprising half.

The other half, according to the New York Post, is that the illegal immigrant - following the Trump administration's crackdown - has decided to deport himself from America.

The individual has been identified as Diego de la Vega. "Diego de la Vega was born in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States as a 7-year-old in 2001 on a visitor’s visa that he overstayed," Fox News reports.

Background

Apparently, it was not just Ocasio-Cortez who allowed de la Vega to work in government, despite his illegal immigrant status.

"De la Vega first became politically activate in 2010 after The Dream Act — which would have offered a path to legal status for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — failed to pass the Senate by five votes," the Post reports.

It continues, "Despite his illegal status, Diego de la Vega had no trouble rising the ranks of Empire State Democratic politics. From 2019 to 2021 he worked as a “special assistant” to former Harlem Assemblymember Robert J. Rodriguez. He also interned for US Rep. Carolyn Maloney."

It was then in 2022 that de la Vega met up with Ocasio-Cortez.

"He signed up with AOC in 2022, holding various positions before rising to Deputy Communication Director — a post he held until December, according to his LinkedIN," the outlet writes.

He "self-deported"

Now, however, de la Vega has "self-deported," meaning that he has left America and returned to Colombia.

De la Vega has released a statement on the matter.

He said:

It’s bittersweet. I hadn’t left the country in 23 years — from age seven to age 30. Now, I can’t go back to the U.S. It feels like exile. It’s a very permanent move. But my wife and I are confident we made the right decision. And, after some time, it’s been a real pleasure to be here. It feels surreal to not be illegalized anymore. I don’t have to live in the shadows or constantly worry about paperwork. That freedom of movement is incredibly satisfying."

Ocasio-Cortez was asked about de la Vega. She only said, "Diego is amazing. We love him."

"De la Vega worked for Ocasio-Cortez despite not being a U.S. citizen. DACA recipients are barred from paid positions in congressional offices," Fox notes. This raises the question of how he was allowed to work for Ocasio-Cortez, among others.