A 22-year-old undocumented immigrant whose protection under an Obama administration program had lapsed has been placed into deportation proceedings, her attorney said Thursday.

Daniela Vargas was detained by immigration officials Wednesday after voicing her fear of deportation at a press conference.

Ms. Vargas, who came to the U.S. from Argentina when she was 7 years old, was picked up by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as she and a friend drove away from the Wednesday news conference in Jackson, Miss., said her lawyer, Abigail Peterson.

She was placed in deportation proceedings that will not include a hearing, Ms. Peterson said authorities told her Thursday morning. Ms Vargas could be deported in a matter of weeks, her attorney said, adding that she is working on an emergency stay.

A spokeswoman for ICE declined to comment on Thursday, saying the agency needed a signed privacy waiver in order to provide specific information about the case.