Georgia College Student Wrongfully Detained by ICE, Released on Bond

Nineteen-year-old Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a college student from Georgia, faced an ordeal after she was mistakenly stopped by police for a traffic violation. The traffic charges were later dismissed, but she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because she is not a US citizen. "It was scary. I was terrified," Ximena shared in an interview following her release. After nine hours in detention, a judge determined she was not a flight risk and granted her bond. This case highlights concerns about potential misinterpretations and the treatment of non-citizens during traffic stops. Ximena's release serves as a positive conclusion to a stressful situation, underscoring the importance of due process.