The Voice News : The Georgia police officer who wrongly arrested a 19-year-old undocumented college student—an incident that led to her detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—has resigned, the City of Dalton confirmed on Saturday.
Dalton city spokesperson Bruce Frazier told CBS News via email that the police department had “no statement” regarding the officer’s resignation and declined to share the reason for it. The officer’s name was not disclosed.
The resignation follows growing scrutiny over the May 5 traffic stop involving Ximena Arias Cristobal, who was pulled over, cited for an improper turn and driving without a license, and subsequently booked into the Whitfield County Jail. ICE agents later took her into custody from the jail and transferred her to a detention facility in Lumpkin, Georgia.
However, after reviewing dashcam footage, Dalton police acknowledged that Arias Cristobal had been mistakenly identified. The vehicle that committed the traffic violation resembled hers but was not the same. Charges were dropped on May 12.
In the dashcam video, the officer can be heard saying, “You ever been to jail?” to which Arias Cristobal replied, “No, sir.” He then responded, “Well, you’re going.”
“I cannot go to jail. I have my finals next week. My family depends on this,” she pleaded.
Arias Cristobal, who came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 4, had remained in ICE custody since early May until her release on May 22 after an immigration judge granted her bond.
Her father had also been detained by ICE following a traffic stop in April. He was held at the same Lumpkin facility and released on bond last week. Despite their release, both father and daughter still face deportation proceedings.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that both individuals remain subject to immigration enforcement and must face the legal consequences of residing in the U.S. without legal status. Arias Cristobal’s case is now proceeding in immigration court.
