Wrongful Arrest, Family Reunion: 19-Year-Old's Immigration Battle Continues

Dalton, Georgia: Wrongful Arrest of 19-Year-Old Ximena Arias Highlights Immigration Challenges On May 5th, 2025, Ximena Arias, a 19-year-old living in Dalton, Georgia, experienced a terrifying ordeal. She was arrested by Dalton police for an alleged illegal turn while driving. The arrest was later deemed a mistake, as the police had apprehended the wrong vehicle. However, due to her lack of a state or international driver's license, she was taken into ICE custody. "It was a very frightening experience," Arias stated in an interview with CNN en Español, her voice trembling with emotion. "I was scared and didn't know what to do." Arias spent over two weeks in the Stewart Detention Center before her family and a close friend raised the $1,500 bail required for her release. The video shows the emotional reunion with her family, a moment of relief and joy amidst the ongoing uncertainty of her immigration status. The incident has raised concerns about the accuracy of law enforcement procedures and the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the US. While the charges against Arias were dropped, her immigration case remains active, leaving her future uncertain. Despite the ordeal, Arias and her father, who was also detained for speeding days prior, remain in Dalton with their family, awaiting the resolution of her immigration case. The story serves as a reminder of the human cost of immigration policies and the importance of due process.