A 20-year-old U.S. citizen, Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, is being held under an immigration detainer at Leon County Jail in Florida, despite having presented verified documentation proving his American citizenship. His arrest and continued detention have sparked concerns about the enforcement of Florida’s new immigration law and its potential to infringe on the rights of lawful citizens.
Lopez-Gomez, who was born in the United States and resides in Georgia, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police upon entering Florida. During the stop, he was charged under a state law that targets so-called “unauthorized aliens” entering the state. The law, one of the strictest immigration policies in the country, has already faced criticism for its sweeping nature and possible violations of constitutional protections.
In a subsequent court appearance, Lopez-Gomez’s legal team presented his U.S. birth certificate and Social Security card. Leon County Judge LaShawn Riggans acknowledged the legitimacy of the documents and stated there was no probable cause for the arrest under the immigration statute. However, despite the judge’s finding, Lopez-Gomez remained in custody due to an ICE detainer request.
The detainer, issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, asked local authorities to hold Lopez-Gomez while federal officials assess his immigration status. Legal experts say this raises serious concerns, as ICE has no legal grounds to detain a verified U.S. citizen, and continued detention could amount to a violation of his constitutional rights.
Lopez-Gomez’s mother, Sebastiana Gomez-Perez, told reporters she was devastated by the situation. “He is American. I don’t know what else to show them,” she said. “I just want my son to come home.”
The case has drawn national attention, highlighting the potential consequences of overreach in state-level immigration enforcement. Civil rights groups are monitoring developments closely and warn that this incident could set a dangerous precedent for other American citizens, particularly those from immigrant communities.
As of now, Lopez-Gomez remains in custody, and his legal team is seeking federal intervention to secure his immediate release.
