A U.S.-born man mistakenly detained as an undocumented immigrant in Florida has been released, according to CNN. Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, 20, was held overnight after being stopped for a traffic violation, despite showing proof he was born in Georgia.
Lopez-Gomez appeared virtually in court Thursday, where the judge acknowledged his valid birth certificate but cited lack of authority to override the ICE hold. He was eventually freed following public pressure and advocacy from immigrant rights groups.
The arrest occurred under a Florida immigration law currently blocked by a federal judge. Critics say Lopez-Gomez’s case highlights the dangers of enforcing flawed laws against U.S. citizens.
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