University of Utah Student Detained by ICE in Mesa County Secures Bond: What You Need to Know

A 19-year-old student from the University of Utah, Caroline Dias Goncalves, is now out of custody after a recent incident that raised some concerns over local and federal law enforcement collaboration.

Caroline was driving in Colorado when she was initially pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy for following another vehicle too closely. After receiving just a warning, she was stopped again not long after, this time by immigration officials, and taken to a detention center in Aurora.

Jon Hyman, her attorney, responded with relief that Caroline was granted bond, allowing her to return to her family and community. He emphasized the unfairness of her detention. She has no criminal record and wasn’t shown a warrant. According to the Mesa County Sheriff’s office, her arrest stemmed from a breakdown in communication between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Hyman stressed the need for ongoing investigations to prevent similar experiences for other young immigrants in Colorado.

The sheriff’s office explained that a dedicated communication channel meant for drug interdiction was mistakenly used for discussing immigration matters. They assured the public that sheriff’s department employees have since been removed from this channel, which was not intended for immigration status discussions. However, the office has not commented on whether there will be any disciplinary action for the involved investigator, Alexander Zwinck.

Camera footage from the traffic stop shows Zwinck asking Caroline about her birthplace and even inviting her into the passenger seat of his patrol car while he issued her a warning.

A spokesperson for the Colorado State Patrol confirmed that while some troopers continue to participate in the drug interdiction communication channel, they must adhere to state laws that restrict sharing immigration status with federal authorities. They pointed out that it is not standard practice for officers to ask motorists to sit in their patrol cars.

Recent statistics indicate that incidents like Caroline’s are part of a larger trend. A study found that nearly 82% of immigrants reported feeling unsafe due to fears of deportation, which highlights a growing concern over the relationship between local law enforcement and ICE.

As communities grapple with these issues, it’s clear that changes are needed to protect vulnerable individuals while ensuring public safety. The experiences of people like Caroline remind us of the ongoing dialogue about immigration policies and community relations, emphasizing a need for understanding and transparency.

For further insights into these complexities, you can reference this report on immigrant safety and law enforcement.

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Education,immigrants,Immigration,Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Mesa County