Vehicle/Traffic StopFloridaWork Authorization
People with work permits taken at a traffic stop in Florida
Reports from Florida cities including Miami, Doral, Orlando and the Florida Keys describe people with valid work permits and pending asylum cases being detained by ICE, CBP, or FDLE during traffic stops while driving for work or rideshare apps. Those detained include journalists, a school custodian, an Uber driver, and a truck driver; some were held in crowded facilities, one was deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and others were later released or remain detained. First documented in May 2025, the pattern became recurring by August 2026, peaking in July 2025, and now makes up a larger share of reported cases than earlier.
First documented May 2025, recurring since Aug 2026. A larger share of recent stories than earlier ones.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
18 stories in 1 state. What accompanies this practice →
“We have done everything through immigration to get his green card approved, and we are just waiting. This is heartbreaking for me. I don’t know how I can mentally continue working 12+ hour days knowing that my dad is somewhere, possibly being treated like a criminal.”
Florida
Luis Manuel C.G.: Exiled Nicaraguan journalist detained by ICE while driving for UberLuis Manuel Chavarría-Galeano, an exiled Nicaraguan journalist driving for Uber near Orlando, was detained in September 2026 and released on bond after press freedom groups and lawmakers pushed for his release.Miami, FL · Sep 26, 2026 · The Guardian, Divergentes, Latam Journalism Review +4
Luis Alejandro O.G. and Luis O.L.: Venezuelan scholarship student and father detained by ICE during Florida traffic stopLuis Alejandro Olarte Gosling, 19, a scholarship student, and his father were detained during a Florida traffic stop while driving him back to school. Both remain held, reporting extreme heat and little food.St. Augustine, FL · Sep 6, 2026 · The News-Gazette, Clearinghouse, WSLS
Humberto C.: Venezuelan asylum seeker with work permit detained by ICE in Doral, FloridaHumberto Castro, 59, who has lived in Doral, Florida for eight years and holds a work permit through 2030, was detained while driving to work. He has a pending asylum case and no criminal record.Doral, FL · Sep 6, 2026 · El País, Briefly
Wilmer S.: Venezuelan journalist awaiting asylum since 2015 detained by CBP in MiamiWilmer Solano, a 59-year-old Venezuelan journalist with a pending asylum case, was detained during a traffic stop in Miami Beach despite holding a valid work permit. He faces an immigration court hearing on August 26, 2026.Miami Beach, FL · Aug 26, 2026 · Caraota Digital, Noticias SIN, El Nacional +7Luis Manuel A.: Deployed Navy sailor's father detained by Border Patrol in FloridaLuis Manuel Aviles, 48, a Nicaraguan handyman in Key West for 19 years, was detained during a traffic stop while his son served on a Navy deployment. A judge dismissed the case days later and he was released.“We have done everything through immigration to get his green card approved, and we are just waiting. This is heartbreaking for me. I don’t know how I can mentally continue working 12+ hour days knowing that my dad is somewhere, possibly being treated like a criminal.” — Joshua AvilesKey West, FL · Aug 25, 2026 · The Guardian, Associated Press, CNN +15
Leonel B.L.: Venezuelan school custodian with work permit detained by ICE driving to workLeonel Armando Bolívar Linares, 29, a Venezuelan school custodian with a pending asylum case, was detained while driving to work after a traffic stop. His union is demanding his release.St. Johns County, FL · Aug 9, 2026 · San Jose Citizen, El Pitazo
Carlos Hugo B.: Asylum-seeking Colombian father with work permit held 16 days by ICECarlos Hugo Betancur, 52, was detained while pumping gas on his way to work despite having a pending asylum case and valid work permit. He spent 16 days detained, including in an overcrowded facility, before release with an ankle monitor.Doral, FL · Jul 24, 2026 · CBS News, CiberCuba, Cuba Headlines
Yajaira: Honduran mother returned to overcrowded Miramar ICE cell with IV in armYajaira, a 37-year-old Honduran mother of two with a valid work permit, was held five days in an overcrowded Miramar cell, suffered an anxiety attack, and is now detained in Spokane, Washington.Florida Keys, FL · Jul 20, 2026 · Reason, IFTTT, Family Stations Network +1
Ernesto P.S.: Legal resident roofer dragged through broken glass by FDLE agents in FloridaErnesto Puac Son, a 33-year-old roofer and legal resident who has lived in Florida 18 years, was dragged through broken glass during a traffic stop and convicted of resisting arrest, getting a year in jail.Stuart, FL · Jun 9, 2026 · Treasure Coast Palm, Blue Water Healthy Living
Ederson G.A. and Mirsy A.L.: Boy twice separated from deported mother returns with her to FloridaEderson Galicia Alva, 11, was reunited with his mother in Florida after she was deported to Guatemala in June 2025 despite protected legal status. He had nightmares and repeated a grade during their 11 months apart.Miami, FL · Jun 4, 2026 · 1News, The Independent, Neutral Echo +10
Jorge C.: Colombian father with court protection deported by ICE to DR CongoJorge Cubillos, 42, a truck driver who lived in Florida with his wife and four children since 2018, was deported in shackles to the Democratic Republic of Congo despite legal protection from removal.Orlando, FL · May 22, 2026 · Greyta Studio, Naira Voice, My News 13 +11
Juan T.: Asylum-seeking father of Atlanta United player detained by ICE at traffic stopJuan Tablante, a Venezuelan asylum seeker since 2016 and father of an Atlanta United soccer player, was detained during a traffic stop despite holding a valid work permit. His son is raising funds for his legal defense.Orlando, FL · May 9, 2026 · El Nacional, Univision
María Alejandra R.M.: Asylum seeker held by ICE after Miami car crashMaría Alejandra Rivas Martínez, 19, was driving her girlfriend to a medical appointment when her car was rear-ended in Miami, leading a state officer to alert ICE and have her detained despite a pending asylum case.Miami, FL · Apr 14, 2026 · Alertas 24, Cactus 24, Caraota Digital +1
Colombian Uber driver with pending asylum case detained by ICE in FloridaA Colombian Uber driver with a pending asylum case, valid license and work permit was detained in Florida. Her family says she has been repeatedly transferred with little information and describes poor conditions at the facility.Orlando, FL · Mar 25, 2026 · Univision
José G.: Palm Beach restaurant manager held 12 days by ICEJosé Gonzalez, a 53-year-old maitre d' who spent 20 years at a Palm Beach restaurant, was held in cramped, cold conditions at Alligator Alcatraz despite having a valid work permit.Palm Beach, FL · Dec 23, 2025 · CW34, CBS12, Palm Beach Post +10
Wilmer S.D.: Venezuelan journalist stopped by CBP, held 19 days in ICE tentWilmer Roberto Solano Dávila, 59, a Venezuelan journalist and Uber driver with a pending asylum case, was detained during a rideshare trip and held 19 days in a crowded outdoor tent before release on bond.Miami, FL · Jul 26, 2025 · Latin Times, Los Angeles Times, Press Freedom Tracker +2
Lee S.: Irish hairstylist with work permit deported by ICE, piercings removed without consentLee Stinton, a 45-year-old Irish hairstylist living in Key West since 2018, was detained after a traffic stop and held in overcrowded conditions before being deported to Northern Ireland.Key West, FL · Jul 12, 2025 · Keys Weekly, Newsweek, Belfast Telegraph +3
Bryan R.G.: U.S. citizen's husband held three months by ICE, loses job and homeA Venezuelan man married to a U.S. citizen was detained during a honeymoon stop at a Trump hotel in Doral. Held nearly three months, he lost his job, home, and savings and now faces over $80,000 in debt.Doral, FL · May 6, 2025 · NBC News, Latin Times