Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 22-year-old Daniela Vargas as she left a Wednesday press conference in Jackson, Mississippi where she revealed her fear of deportation.
"You know who we are, you know what we're here for," ICE agents reportedly told Vargas before arresting her.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy shielded Vargas from deportation for years after she came to the U.S. as a child from Argentina. Vargas' protection under the law expired before she spoke at the press conference, which was hosted by a group called the Immigrants Rights Alliance, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
The group sought to use the press conference as a way of spotlighting families impacted by deportation. Vargas' father and brother were detained in February by ICE, while Vargas hid in a closet. Agents had discovered her and handcuffed her, but quickly released her.
"Today, my father and brother await deportation while I continue to fight this battle as a DREAMer to help contribute to this country, which I feel is very much my country," Vargas said at the conference.
Immigrants under the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act can become permanent residents.
But Vargas called for a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants, according to The Daily Caller.
"A path for citizenship is necessary for DACA recipients but also for the other 11 million undocumented people with dreams," Vargas said.
Vargas had dreamed of becoming a university math professor.