Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D) joined state lawmakers on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, to call for the release of Flor Ivet Vargas-Loya, a mother of two and DACA recipient, who was arrested by federal immigration agents on Christmas Eve while shopping at a T.J. Maxx in the West Valley.
“Why is ICE spending resources to detain a DACA recipient on Christmas Eve?” Ansari asked. “We demand that ICE release her, admit they made a mistake, and ensure her due process rights immediately.”
Vargas-Loya, who was already on bond, wearing an ankle monitor, and awaiting an immigration court hearing, remains in ICE custody.
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The incident has drawn attention not only for the timing but also for Vargas-Loya’s family circumstances. She is married to Blademir Angulo Audeves, who, in October, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to employing undocumented workers.
The couple operates the El Taco Loko restaurant and a food truck in Laveen, located in the legislative district of State Senator Analise Ortiz (D).
“This country has failed. Congress has failed to provide a permanent pathway to citizenship for people like Flor and her husband—people who are entrepreneurs and contribute to their community,” Ortiz said.
President Trump and ICE officials have defended their enforcement actions, stating that agents have the authority to question and detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally.
Ansari added that her office is receiving daily reports of alleged ICE abuses across Arizona and nationwide.
She also noted that Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have launched a tracker website to document these cases.
