carlosgsmith “Just before sunrise on a Tuesday in March, A.G., a Valencia College student, got into his car outside his east Orange County apartment to head to his job as a maintenance worker.” “Before he backed out of his spot, red-and-blue lights flashed behind him, and a man with “police” emblazoned on his vest knocked on his window. A.G., a Venezuelan national [with no criminal record], handed over his valid driver’s license, work permit and Social Security card – the documents he thought protected him.” “Within minutes, he was handcuffed by immigration authorities in the back of an unmarked black SUV headed to ICE’s Orlando office, setting into motion days of detention across Florida that have threatened to upend the life he’s built since coming to the United States five years ago.” “Court records show that A.G…is LAWFULLY in the country, has a pending asylum application, and holds a Florida driver’s license and other documents that allow him to work.” “A.G. is studying economics at Valencia. The slightly built 26-year-old also works repairing HVACs and plumbing and doing other maintenance at an apartment complex.” “The day of his arrest, an emergency habeas corpus petition was filed by The Arroyo Law Firm in federal court in Orlando. It contended his detainment violated the Fourth, Fifth and 14th Amendments and that he should be released. The firm has secured the release of more than two dozen people detained using similar arguments.” “Six days later, Judge Paul Byron ordered A.G..’s release without a hearing. A.G. learned of his release hours later.” “Immigration authorities held onto all of his documents — a frustration shared by numerous detainees and their attorneys in recent months — including his driver’s license and work permit. Now, he needs a ride to and from work and class. Attorneys filed a motion to get them back, but so far, he doesn’t have them.” https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/04/12/a-valencia-college-student-was-leaving-for-work-ice-was-waiting-outside/ View all comments