A Dalton police officer’s abrupt resignation has ignited debate after a college student, Ximena Arias-Cristobal, found herself at the center of a high-profile immigration case. Leslie O’Neal, a longtime member of the Dalton Police Department, stepped down following his controversial traffic stop of the 19-year-old student, which led to her detention in federal immigration custody.

According to The Guardian, O’Neal resigned Friday after criticism mounted over the arrest and subsequent fallout. Arias-Cristobal, who was brought to the United States from Mexico as a child, spent more than two weeks in an immigration detention center and now faces possible deportation.

The incident has drawn national attention, with supporters rallying for Arias-Cristobal’s release and others defending the enforcement of immigration laws. O’Neal’s resignation letter, posted by his wife on social media, cited a lack of support from his department, while immigration advocates and political leaders have weighed in on both sides of the issue.

Traffic stop triggers detention

On May 5, Officer O’Neal pulled over Arias-Cristobal in Dalton, Georgia, initially accusing her of making a false turn—a charge later dropped after police admitted to confusing her vehicle with another. Despite the mistake, the consequences for Arias-Cristobal were immediate and severe. Local authorities contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to her transfer to a state immigration detention facility.

Arias-Cristobal, an undocumented student attending college, was driving with a Mexican license at the time of the stop. Her immigration status meant she narrowly missed qualifying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a federal program protecting certain young immigrants from deportation. She was four years old when her family brought her to the United States in 2007—just after the DACA cutoff.

Video footage from the arrest revealed Arias-Cristobal’s distress as she pleaded with O’Neal, saying, “I cannot go to jail. I have my finals next week. My family depends on this.” The case quickly gained national traction, with many questioning the necessity and proportionality of involving ICE over a dropped traffic charge.

Community response divides opinions

The aftermath of Arias-Cristobal’s detention has split public opinion, with immigration advocates and some local residents criticizing the handling of her case. Supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign for her legal defense, raising more than $90,000. Rallies and online petitions called for her release and questioned the policies that allow local police to partner with federal immigration authorities.

Others, including prominent conservative voices, defended the enforcement of immigration laws. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene argued that upholding the law is essential for national sovereignty. In an interview with Tennessee’s Local 3 News, Greene said:

In Mexico, today, there’s over 1.6 million United States of America citizens, living and thriving in Mexico, and I’m sure she and her family will be able to do the same. But it’s important for our nation, for our sovereignty, for us to uphold the law. And this is what we have to do.

O’Neal’s resignation letter, shared publicly, claimed that the police department’s silence amid mounting criticism made it impossible for him to continue his duties without fear of backlash. He stated that a lack of public support from his superiors left his position “personally untenable.”

Controversy over local-federal cooperation

A key factor in the case is Georgia’s approach to immigration enforcement. Whitfield County, which includes Dalton, operates under a 287(g) agreement with ICE—allowing local law enforcement to act as federal immigration agents. A state law signed by Governor Brian Kemp last year now requires all Georgia law enforcement agencies to seek such agreements, a move immigration advocates have called “disastrous.”

Critics argue that these partnerships lead to racial profiling and create fear within immigrant communities. The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights stated that the law “will terrorize immigrant communities and waste local resources.” Advocates for Arias-Cristobal point to her case as evidence that traffic stops can have far-reaching and unintended consequences when local police are involved in immigration enforcement.

Arias-Cristobal’s family has also been affected. Her father, José Arias-Tovar, was detained weeks earlier by ICE after a traffic violation but was released on bond. Arias-Cristobal posted a $1,500 bond for her own release and returned home with her family shortly after.

Future for Arias-Cristobal uncertain

Arias-Cristobal’s attorney, Dustin Baxter, confirmed that efforts are underway to allow her to remain in the United States. He told local station WSB-TV, “We’re going to keep working on her case to try to keep her here permanently.” The Stewart Detention Center where she was held, operated by CoreCivic under contract with ICE, has faced longstanding criticism for alleged rights violations and poor conditions.

The broader issue of immigration enforcement continues to be a flashpoint in Georgia and across the country. President Donald Trump’s administration has prioritized stricter immigration controls and expanded partnerships between local police and ICE. As arrests rise, so do calls for reform and accountability.

Arias-Cristobal’s case is now emblematic of the ongoing debate over immigration policy, law enforcement practices, and the human cost of legal uncertainty. While some see the enforcement of existing laws as necessary, others call for a more compassionate approach in cases involving young people brought to the U.S. as children.