Georgia College Student Ximena Arias-Cristobal Faces Deportation After Traffic Stop, Held at Stewart Detention Center

Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a 19-year-old Dalton State College student, faces deportation after a traffic stop in Dalton, Georgia, for an illegal turn revealed she lacked a valid driver's license. She is held at Stewart Detention Center, a facility criticized for its conditions. Her father, Jose Francisco Arias-Tovar, was also detained for a separate traffic violation. Both are in the U.S. without legal status. The case highlights the impact of the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, and has sparked local concern and calls for her release.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest

On May 5, 2025, Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a student at Dalton State College, was pulled over by police in Dalton after making an illegal right turn at a red light, disregarding a posted “no turn on red” sign. According to the police report, she did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the stop. She told officers she had previously held an international license but did not have it with her.

Arias-Cristobal was arrested and charged with driving without a valid license and failure to obey traffic control devices. She was transported to the Whitfield County Jail, which participates in the federal 287(g) program—a partnership between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows jail officials to identify individuals who may be in the country without legal status.

Detention and Immigration Proceedings

Following her arrest, Arias-Cristobal was processed through a federal immigration database, which confirmed she was not a U.S. citizen. She was subsequently transferred to the Stewart Detention Center, a privately operated immigration detention facility in Lumpkin, Georgia, known for its size and controversial conditions.

Arias-Cristobal is now awaiting an immigration court hearing that will determine whether she will be deported to Mexico, the country of her birth. She has lived in Whitfield County since 2010, when her family entered the U.S. without legal authorization from Mexico City. She was four years old at the time.

Her family has confirmed that she was not eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was closed to new applicants after her arrival in the U.S. The program, established in 2012, only accepted individuals who had been living in the country continuously since June 15, 2007.

Family Detained Together

Arias-Cristobal is not the only member of her family currently in ICE custody. Her father, Jose Francisco Arias-Tovar, was arrested in late April after being pulled over in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, for driving 19 miles per hour over the speed limit. He was also found to be living in the U.S. without legal status and was transferred to the same detention center as his daughter.

According to ICE records and family statements, Arias-Tovar owns a small business in the area and had previously consulted a lawyer about obtaining a work permit or visa. However, the family was informed that they did not meet the necessary criteria to apply for legal status.

Arias-Cristobal’s mother is also expected to be detained and deported within the next month, according to statements made by local officials. Her younger siblings may be taken with her to maintain family unity.

Community and Official Response

The case has sparked concern among local residents and officials. Hannah Jones, a family friend who has known Arias-Cristobal for years, described her as a dedicated student and athlete. Arias-Cristobal graduated from Dalton High School and is currently enrolled at Dalton State College, where she was paying out-of-state tuition due to her immigration status. She is also a cross-country runner and has been described by friends as passionate and hardworking.

Republican State Representative Kacey Carpenter has publicly called for her release, stating that immigration enforcement should focus on individuals who pose a threat to public safety. “The reality is, the conversation has always been that we need to get hard criminals out of the country,” Carpenter told WTVC NewsChannel 9. “Unfortunately, the people that aren't hard criminals are getting caught up in the wash.”

Legal Context and 287(g) Program

Whitfield County, where the arrest occurred, is one of several jurisdictions in Georgia that participate in the 287(g) program. Under this agreement, local law enforcement officers are authorized to perform certain immigration enforcement functions, including identifying individuals who may be subject to removal proceedings.

According to the Whitfield County Jail’s operational guide, the 287(g) program is only activated after an individual has been arrested for a violation of Georgia law. Once in custody, detainees are screened for immigration status and referred to ICE if they are found to be in the country without authorization.

The Stewart Detention Center, where Arias-Cristobal is being held, is operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company. The facility has faced criticism from civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, for its conditions and treatment of detainees. At least 10 people have died in the facility between 2017 and 2024, according to ACLU reports.

Next Steps

Arias-Cristobal is expected to appear before an immigration judge in the coming weeks. Until then, she remains in custody at Stewart Detention Center. Her case highlights the intersection of local law enforcement practices and federal immigration policy, particularly in communities with longstanding immigrant populations.

Georgia College Student Ximena Arias-Cristobal Faces Deportation After Traffic Stop, Held at Stewart Detention Center

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