Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen born in Georgia, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being pulled over by Florida Highway Patrol, despite presenting a valid U.S. birth certificate in court, The Hill reported Thursday.
Lopez-Gomez was charged with violating Florida’s controversial immigration law that criminalizes “unauthorized” entry into the state. The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R), is currently under a temporary injunction. Despite the charge being dropped, Leon County Judge LaShawn Riggans said she lacked the authority to release him due to an ICE detainer request.
“In looking at it, and feeling it, and holding it up to the light, the court can clearly see the watermark to show that this is indeed an authentic document,” Judge Riggans said after inspecting Lopez-Gomez’s birth certificate.
His mother brought both the certificate and Social Security card to court, pleading for his release. He was eventually freed Thursday evening following public outcry and protests.
“It’s like this bureaucratic, dystopian nightmare,” said Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. Advocates say the case highlights the risks of flawed immigration laws detaining U.S. citizens.
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