FL Student Deported After Traffic Stop, Critic Calls It Kidnapping: Report

GAINESVILLE, FL — A University of Florida student from Colombia was detained by immigration officials following a traffic stop in Gainesville last month, media reports say, with one member of Congress calling it a kidnapping by the Trump administration.

UF student Felipe Zapata Velázquez, 27, was arrested on March 28 after police stopped him for driving on a suspended or revoked license, NBC News reported. Velázquez received other citations, including having an illegal license plate.

Declining to stay detained after being taken to Jacksonville, Velázquez chose to leave the country while his case played out in immigration court, mom Claudia Velázquez told Colombian news outlet NTN24. He was being held at a Miami detention center, NTN24 reported.

It was not immediately known if Velázquez had been officially deported as of Wednesday morning.

"At this time, Felipe is undergoing a physical and emotional recovery process, and we are prioritizing his well-being and overall health," Claudia Velázquez said in a statement to NBC. "I sincerely appreciate the interest, solidarity and support that many have expressed regarding my son's situation. When his situation is fully clarified, and if he deems it appropriate, Felipe will personally address any additional requests or communications."

Felipe Velázquez, who had a valid F-1 student visa, is a third-year food and resource economics student at UF.

Florida lawmakers have begun reacting to the news of his detention and deportation.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, called Velázquez the current administration's "latest kidnapping victim."

"What should have been a routine traffic stop, resulted in a nightmare as Felipe is now forced to live in the hell on Earth that is the Krome Detention Center while he awaits deportation orders," Frost wrote in a statement obtained by NBC News.

State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, released a statement to WCTV:

“I’ve read the article and it’s saddening to see a UF student detained by ICE for driving with an expired license and registration tag and sent to Krome Detention Center. He hasn’t been heard from since April 1st, according to news outlets. Why not give a ticket, but to be detained for such an offense is outlandish and quite alarming. Though the Department of State can revoke non-immigrant visas, including F-1 visas for arrests for certain offenses, such as driving under the influence, did registration and an expired license fall under the scope of arrest and detainment? After 3 Special Sessions on Immigration and cases such as this, immigrants are under attack now more than ever. We must speak up and not allow this to continue without voicing outrage.”

A protest on Velázquez's behalf was planned for 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at UF.