Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez: U.S. Citizen Held Under ICE Detainer in Florida

Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, remains in custody at Leon County Jail after authorities arrested him and placed him under an ICE detainer—despite him presenting a valid birth certificate and Social Security card. His case has sparked national concern and highlights how Florida’s newly passed immigration law is already creating controversy, even though a federal judge temporarily blocked it.

Lopez Gomez, born in Grady County, Georgia, was detained following a routine traffic stop, and accused of entering Florida as an “unauthorized alien.” The court acknowledged his citizenship but claimed it lacked the jurisdiction to release him due to ICE’s hold request.

A Legal Gray Area—or a Civil Rights Crisis?

During Lopez-Gomez’s first court appearance, Leon County Judge LaShawn Riggans personally verified the authenticity of his birth certificate and Social Security card. She stated there was no probable cause to hold him under the misdemeanor immigration charge.

However, the judge explained she had no legal jurisdiction to release him because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had filed a 48-hour hold request.

“The court can clearly see the watermark… this is an authentic document,” Riggans said.
“But this court does not have jurisdiction beyond what I’ve done.”

Family Pleads for Release: “He Is From Here”

Lopez-Gomez’s mother, Sebastiana Gomez-Perez, broke down in tears outside the Leon County Courthouse. Speaking through a translator, she said:

“Where are you going to take him? He is from here… I felt immense helplessness.”

Lopez-Gomez, whose first language is Tzotzil, had recently returned to Georgia after living in Mexico for most of his childhood. He was in Florida for construction work when the arrest occurred.

This marks the second time he’s faced detention despite being a U.S. citizen. In Georgia just days earlier, ICE attempted to hold him after a DUI arrest, but released him after reviewing his birth documents.

Florida Law Temporarily Blocked—So Why Is He Still Detained?

Authorities held Lopez-Gomez under SB 4-C, a law Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in February 2025 that criminalizes undocumented adults who knowingly enter Florida without inspection.

However, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order on April 4, barring the law’s enforcement.

Despite this, ICE has not released Lopez-Gomez. His only remaining legal obstacle is the detainer notice, a request—not a warrant—asking local law enforcement to hold someone until federal agents arrive.

Civil Rights Groups Respond

Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition called the incident “a textbook case of racial profiling,” pointing out that the arrest was based on Lopez-Gomez’s language skills and appearance, not his documentation.

“No one disagrees he’s a U.S. citizen. But ICE sent a piece of paper, and now he’s stuck,” said Alana Greer of the Community Justice Project, which represents the coalition.

The arrest report claims Lopez-Gomez told the officer he was “in the country illegally,” a statement his mother and supporters question given his limited English and the presence of a Georgia state ID.

What’s Next?

Officials expect Lopez-Gomez to remain in custody until at least April 19, while ICE decides on its next move. The court scheduled his case management conference for May 6, although attorneys hope to secure his release before then.

This case has reignited debates about immigration enforcement overreach, especially in states like Florida, where laws may conflict with federal court orders and constitutional rights of citizens.

More…

• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/17/us/lopez-gomez-citizen-detained-ice-florida/index.html
• https://www.yahoo.com/news/ice-detains-u-born-citizen-193628115.html
• https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/04/17/u-s-born-man-held-for-ice-under-floridas-new-anti-immigration-law 
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/british-tourist-detained-in-us-for-19-days-warns-travelers-dont-risk-visiting-the-u-s