DACA mom detained by ICE while Christmas shopping in Phoenix, lawmakers call for release
Dec 31, 2025·Location: Arizona
Country of origin: Mexico

Flor Ivet Vargas-Loya, a DACA recipient and mother of two U.S. citizen children ages 17 and 19, was handcuffed and detained by ICE on Christmas Eve while shopping at a T.J. Maxx in Phoenix's West Valley. She and her husband operate the El Taco Loko restaurant and a food truck in Laveen, and she is the sole provider for her children following her husband's deportation. At the time of her arrest, she was awaiting a delayed DACA renewal, had no new criminal charges, and was wearing an ankle monitor after being released on bond following about a month in immigration detention earlier in the year. Her attorney said she had been fully complying with her orders, and she had a court hearing scheduled for 2028. She is being held at the Florence Processing Center. Arizona lawmakers called for her release, with state Sen. Analise Ortiz saying, 'People like Flor and her husband are entrepreneurs who contribute to their community.'
Timeline
Sources
- ¿Por qué ICE arrestó a una madre de familia con DACA mientras hacía compras navideñas en Phoenix?
Univision·Dec 31, 2025·archived copy
- The Arizona Republic
- Threads
- 12news.com
- Fierce Campaign Launched for Release of DACA Recipient Detained by ICE: 'This Country has Failed'
shinemycrown.com·Jan 1, 2026·archived copy
- ICE detains Phoenix mom with DACA status while shopping on Christmas Eve
azfamily.com·Dec 31, 2025·archived copy
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