Jeanette Vizguerra, immigrant activist living in sanctuary at a Denver, Colo. church basement, continues to organize events for her community in an effort to educate and encourage legislative change. Suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she hopes to avoid deportation to continue to advocate for the rights of individuals in her community.

“It’s like I’m a bird in a cage” said Vizguerra.

After 24 years, Vizguerra continues to live in Denver without legal status, facing racism and discrimination every day. With support from members of the community, she is able to reside in the U.S. in sanctuary – safe places for undocumented immigrants, such as churches, schools and hospitals. Being the first to go into sanctuary under the Trump administration, she guides others across the country through the process. 

Following her first 86 days in sanctuary, in 2017, Vizguerra was one of 26 to be granted the right to a two-year deportation stay in the U.S., which ended March 15 of this year. Promptly, she returned to sanctuary but is now being surveilled by ICE through her social media activity.

“Many people have to do this and suffer so it opens doors for others in the future” she said when reflecting on her current and past separations from her children and their father, who are U.S. citizens.

According to Vizguerra, Governor Jared Polis was once the “champion” of immigrants and advocated for their rights during his campaign for office. Now, he is in opposition of interfering with ICE and is no longer pushing for legislature to protect immigrants.

Vizguerra is looking forward to and preparing for her week of action, May 13 - 17, hosted by the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition, Jeanette's Week of Action: Tell Governor Polis to Melt the ICE. The week-long event, including marches, rallies and calls to Colorado state representatives, is targeted towards the Colorado governor and legislators who hold power to make change regarding the rights of immigrants.

“My parents raised me to be very strong and independent and to follow my convictions” said Vizguerra. 

In her first years in the U.S., following a custodial position due to being unable to use her psychology degree, Vizguerra turned to organizational work with Rights for All People for 13 years, focusing on immigrants. In 2011, soon after stepping down from her role to raise her children, she was detained for driving without a license. She experienced the abuse and poor conditions of detention centers firsthand.

Following her detention, Vizguerra began speaking about her case publicly and gained a national audience. She has since transformed her platform into a space of action, working beyond contributing to dialogue, and in 2011 founded and assisted to fund the Colorado Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.

Vizguerra continues to organize events for and speak loudly through Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition and Abolish ICE Denver, primarily targeting ICE, Diane Degette and Gov. Polis. Partaking in civil disobedience, she and her community aspire to achieve justice for all people who call the U.S. home. 

“…the power is not in the capital but it is in the streets with the people” said Vizguerra. 

Additional information about Jeanette's Week of Action: Tell Governor Polis to Melt the ICE can be found on the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition Facebook page. Justifications for her stay in the U.S. will be shared with the hashtag #JanetteBelongsHere.