US Citizen Arrested Under Florida Immigration Law: Attorney Explains

Arrest of US Citizen Under New Florida Law

• 🇺🇸 Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a US citizen born in Georgia, was arrested and detained for 48 hours in Florida under a new state immigration law.
• 🚗 The arrest occurred after the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped for speeding, and troopers allegedly misinterpreted his citizenship status.
• 📄 Despite presenting a Georgia ID, a social security card, and his mother providing his birth certificate, officers proceeded with the arrest and an ICE detainer was placed.

Legal Challenges and Due Process Concerns

• 🗣️ Attorney Mutaqee Akbar highlights potential language barriers and the trooper's alleged dishonesty as factors in the misinterpretation.
• ⚖️ The probable cause affidavit stated passengers admitted to being in the US illegally, which Lopez-Gomez's attorney disputes due to language difficulties.
• 🚫 An ICE detainer was placed on Lopez-Gomez, even after he proved his US citizenship, indicating a failure in the federal immigration hold process.

Impact of Florida's Immigration Law

• 🛑 A federal judge had placed an injunction on the law pending a ruling, raising questions about its enforcement and constitutionality.
• 🏛️ The case exemplifies concerns raised by the judge regarding potential violations of due process and equal protection for citizens.
• ⚠️ Akbar argues this incident demonstrates why the law should not proceed, as it can lead to profiling and undue burdens on American citizens.

Next Steps and Civil Liability

• ⚖️ The attorney is exploring civil liability for the unlawful arrest and detention, given that the law was under injunction and citizenship was proven.
• 🤝 The legal team will continue to monitor the case as it moves forward, emphasizing the need to protect citizens from such errors.