Florida Law Enforcement Violates Federal Judge's Immigration Order

A federal judge expressed astonishment after Florida authorities continued to enforce a controversial state immigration law, resulting in the wrongful arrest of a U.S.-born citizen, Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, despite her order temporarily blocking the law. Lopez Gomez was detained by the Florida Highway Patrol and held in Leon County Jail even after his mother provided proof of his citizenship, and a judge confirmed the documentation. Although the charge was dismissed, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested that Lopez Gomez remain in custody for an additional 48 hours, raising further concerns since ICE typically has no authority over U.S. citizens. The incident has highlighted confusion and controversy surrounding the enforcement of Florida's immigration policies, particularly after a federal judge's ruling that the law is unconstitutional and should not be applied without notifying federal authorities. The judge extended her restraining order and demanded that state officials clarify why law enforcement agencies continued to make arrests under the blocked law. Public protests and criticism from immigration advocates have followed, emphasizing the risks posed by the state's approach to immigration enforcement.