Knoxville Immigrant Activist Alejandro Guizar Lozano Faces Deportation

Guizar Lozano, a DACA recipient, has been ordered removed from the U.S. after nearly 20 years in the country.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A solitary figure standing alone on a dimly lit city street, their face obscured in shadow, representing the isolation and uncertainty faced by undocumented immigrants.The impending deportation of a longtime Knoxville immigrant activist casts a somber shadow over the city's immigrant community.Knoxville Today

Alejandro Guizar Lozano, a longtime immigrant rights activist in Knoxville, Tennessee, has received removal orders and will likely be deported to Mexico. Guizar Lozano, who came to the U.S. at age 12 and was a DACA recipient, was arrested last October during a drug test appointment and has been held in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana since then. His attorneys argued the arrest was retaliatory due to his advocacy work, but a federal judge denied his request for bond earlier this year.

Why it matters

Guizar Lozano's case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by undocumented immigrants, even those who have lived in the U.S. for decades and have been active in their local communities. His deportation would be a significant loss for the immigrant rights movement in Knoxville.

The details

Guizar Lozano was arrested on October 15 when he showed up for a random drug test in Smith County, where he had previously been charged with a drug offense. His attorneys argued the arrest was retaliatory due to his work as an advocate for immigrants. Guizar Lozano has now received removal orders, meaning he will likely be deported to Mexico despite having lived in the U.S. since age 12 and being a DACA recipient.

  • Guizar Lozano was arrested on October 15, 2025.
  • In March 2026, Guizar Lozano received removal orders.

The players

Alejandro Guizar Lozano

A longtime immigrant rights activist in Knoxville, Tennessee who came to the U.S. at age 12 and was a DACA recipient. He has now received removal orders and will likely be deported to Mexico.

Meghan Conley

A longtime member of Allies of Knoxville's Immigrant Neighbors (AKIN) and a professor at the University of Tennessee.

De Ann Pendry

A founding member of AKIN, an immigrant rights group in Knoxville.

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What they’re saying

“There is so much uncertainty, but I know I'll have the opportunity to access higher education, a dream that as an undocumented immigrant living in TN had also seemed so out of reach in the past. These dreams are all within my grasp now due to the fact you all have held me and continue to hold me in the crescendo that I consider my beloved community. I look forward to being able to share a picture of my grateful smile in hopes to brighten your spirits in the way you all have nurtured mine.”

— Alejandro Guizar Lozano

“He came to the U.S. when he was about 12, and did all of his middle and high school here in Knoxville. As a young person, he helped organize young immigrants. Alejandro is such a positive person – always willing to help out – and very focused on social justice. He has a big heart.”

— De Ann Pendry, Founding member of AKIN

What’s next

The timeline on Guizar Lozano's forced removal was not included in the order, so the specific date of his deportation is still unclear.

The takeaway

Guizar Lozano's case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S., even those who have lived in the country for decades and have been active members of their local communities. His deportation would be a significant loss for the immigrant rights movement in Knoxville.