Tallahassee, Florida – A US-born man who was accused of being an “unauthorized alien” in Florida has been freed after spending a night in jail due to a 48-hour hold requested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a 20-year-old American citizen born in Grady County, Georgia, was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol during a routine traffic stop. He was traveling from his home in the city of Cairo to work in construction in Tallahassee, about 45 minutes away.
Lopez-Gomez was released on Thursday after a court appearance where his birth certificate, provided by his mother, confirmed his citizenship. Although the judge found no probable cause for the charges, an ICE hold prevented his immediate release.
ICE holds, known as immigration detainers, require law enforcement agencies to notify them before releasing a removable alien and to hold the individual for up to 48 hours. Despite efforts by his legal team and immigrant rights advocates, Lopez-Gomez was detained until ICE authorized his release.
The incident shed light on the challenges faced by US citizens caught in the immigration system’s complexities. The law under which Lopez-Gomez was detained was temporarily blocked by a judge, indicating flaws in the enforcement of immigration policies.
Attorney Alana Greer condemned the unlawful detention of a US citizen and criticized the multiple agencies involved for prioritizing ICE directives over justice. Lopez-Gomez’s case highlights the need for better oversight and protection of individuals entangled in immigration enforcement.
The ordeal has raised questions about the role of local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws and the impact of ICE holds on individuals’ civil rights. As the Department of Homeland Security investigates the incident, advocates continue to push for reforms to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future.