US Citizen Arrested as ‘Unauthorized Alien’ in Florida
Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a U.S. citizen born in Georgia, was arrested in Florida under a recently challenged state law criminalizing illegal entry, despite presenting his birth certificate. Despite a judge finding no probable cause, ICE’s detainer prevented his immediate release, highlighting concerns about the law’s impact. Following protests, Lopez-Gomez was released; however, the incident underscores the ongoing legal battle surrounding the law and its potential for misapplication. The incident follows a pattern of controversial immigration actions by federal agencies.
John Q. Hosedrinker