A Georgia police officer has resigned following a controversial arrest that led to the immigration detention of Ximena Arias Cristobal, a 19-year-old undocumented college student.
She had been preparing for final exams when she was mistakenly pulled over and handed over to federal authorities.
City of Dalton spokesperson Bruce Frazier confirmed the resignation to CBS News on Saturday, May 4, 2025, but declined to name the officer or disclose the reason behind the resignation.
“No statement” was given by the department, and no further details were released.
The resignation comes in the wake of national scrutiny over the May 5 traffic stop, which resulted in Arias Cristobal’s detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite dashboard footage later showing she had not violated any traffic laws.
A Mistaken Identity That Led to ICE Custody
Arias Cristobal, who came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of four, was driving in Dalton when she was stopped and cited for making an improper turn and driving without a license. She was booked into the Whitfield County Jail, where ICE later took custody of her.
However, upon reviewing the dashcam footage, Dalton police admitted the vehicle that had committed the improper turn was not hers, but a similar-looking truck. Her charges were dropped on May 12—seven days after her arrest.
In the dashcam footage, the officer can be heard telling the teen:
“You ever been to jail?”
“No, sir,” she replied.
“Well, you’re going.”
Arias Cristobal pleaded:
“I cannot go to jail. I have my finals next week. My family depends on this.”
She remained in ICE custody at a detention center in Lumpkin, Georgia until May 22, when an immigration judge granted her bond.
Her father, who had also been arrested in April after a traffic stop, was held in the same facility. He was released last week under similar conditions.
Ongoing Deportation Proceedings
Despite the release, both Ximena Arias Cristobal and her father continue to face deportation proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS stated that the family should “face consequences” for residing in the U.S. without legal status.
A Teen Caught in a Broken System
The case has sparked outrage from immigration advocates and legal observers, who point to it as another example of how routine policing can spiral into life-altering consequences for undocumented youth.
Arias Cristobal’s story—caught between final exams and the threat of deportation—has struck a nerve with many who argue the system is especially unforgiving toward young immigrants trying to build a future in the only country they’ve ever known.
