(LEEDS, ALABAMA) Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez, 24, a local immigration advocate, was taken into ICE detention after a traffic stop on August 5 along I-20. Leeds Police say the stop followed safety concerns.
Her family disputes the account and is fighting her transfer to a Louisiana facility for deportation proceedings, saying she’s a longtime resident and a key support for immigrant neighbors.
What happened on August 5
- Date: August 5, 2025
- Where: Interstate 20 near Leeds, Alabama
- Why police stopped her: Leeds Police say she was driving over 80 mph with erratic lane changes.
- ID presented: A Mexico-issued ID card, according to police.
- ICE involvement: An ICE agent at the scene took her into custody after the stop.
- Transfer: She was moved from Alabama to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana for removal proceedings.
Leeds Police released dash cam and body camera video on August 8–9 after public questions about the stop. Chief Paul Irwin says the department followed standard procedures based on public safety and legal duties. The family says Giovanna is careful behind the wheel and believes the arrest moved too quickly from a traffic stop to federal custody.
Who is Giovanna
Hernandez-Martinez works as a mental health counselor and social worker with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, known as ¡HICA! Family and colleagues describe her as a steady advocate who connects immigrants to counseling, food aid, and school resources.
The Hernandez family moved to the United States in 2008, missing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) cutoff by about one year. They say they’ve tried several times to fix their status but found no path that fits their case.
Current status
- Status: In ICE custody in Louisiana
- Process: Awaiting deportation hearings before an immigration judge
- Family efforts: Fundraising for legal help and seeking a pro bono attorney
- Community response: ¡HICA! and other groups are calling for her release and warning about a chilling effect on immigrant advocates
ICE confirmed her transfer and said she is in standard removal proceedings. As of August 10, 2025, there is no public timeline for her first court hearing.
Leeds Police and community reactions
Leeds Police stand by their account that the stop was lawful and handled by the book. The department points to recent Alabama guidance that helps police release bodycam footage in certain cases, which they say justified sharing the video from the stop.
Giovanna’s family rejects the idea that she posed a safety risk and stresses her deep community ties. They are asking supporters to:
- Contact local leaders
- Donate to legal costs
- Share her story
Why this case matters beyond Leeds
This case shows how a routine traffic stop can lead to ICE detention when a person cannot show a valid U.S. driver’s license and police suspect the person is undocumented. In Alabama, cooperation between local police and ICE remained common in 2025, meaning traffic stops can still become immigration cases—especially on highways where speed and lane changes draw attention.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the lack of a broad federal reform bill and the halt of new DACA applications since 2021 leave many long-term residents with few options, even under President Biden. Without a clear path, long-settled adults who arrived as children can still be detained or removed after everyday encounters with law enforcement.
The typical process in cases like this
- Traffic stop: Police pull over a driver for a suspected violation.
- Identification: If the driver lacks a U.S. license, officers may ask for other ID.
- ICE check: Police may contact ICE, or an ICE agent may be present and take custody.
- Transfer: ICE moves the person to a detention facility, sometimes in another state.
- Court: The person waits for hearings before an immigration judge.
- Defense: Lawyers can seek release, ask for bond, or apply for relief if any options exist.
Practical guidance for families right now
- Document key details: Write down the date, time, agency, and any case numbers given at the stop.
- Collect records: Keep proof of identity, home address, family ties, school records, and medical needs in a safe folder. These can help with requests for release.
- Find a lawyer quickly: Look for an experienced removal defense attorney. Ask local nonprofits for referrals.
- Use official custody tools: Families can check status with the ICE Detainee Locator. Official site: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/index
- Plan for children and elders: Have emergency care plans and permission forms ready if a caregiver is detained.
Note: This article does not give legal advice. Laws vary by case and location. Always consult a qualified attorney.
Impact on advocacy groups
¡HICA! and partner groups worry that detaining a visible advocate sends a message that even those helping others face risk. Potential consequences include:
- Staff and volunteers pulling back from public events
- Immigrant families avoiding contact with police, even when they need help
- Increased isolation of crime victims, reduced access to mental health care, and weakened trust in local services
What Leeds Police are weighing
For police, highway safety and legal rules shape day-to-day decisions. Departments that cooperate with ICE argue they must act on suspected violations and status checks. Yet each referral can change a family’s future.
The challenge is balancing public safety with community trust, especially in cities where mixed-status families live, work, and go to school.
Policy context, 2024–2025
- Alabama-ICE cooperation: No major changes reported in 2025; referrals from traffic stops still occur.
- DACA: New applications remain closed since 2021. Renewals continue for those who already have DACA, but many who came as children never qualified.
- Bodycam footage: Recent Alabama rules guide when police can release video, which Leeds cited in sharing footage of the stop.
What to watch next
- Court schedule: Timing of Giovanna’s hearings in Louisiana and any bond decisions.
- Legal arguments: Whether her lawyers pursue humanitarian claims or other defenses based on long U.S. residence and community role.
- Local response: How Leeds Police address community concerns and whether more video or records are released.
- Wider policy debate: Whether Alabama cities revisit cooperation policies with ICE, and how advocates press state and federal leaders for change.
Takeaways for immigrant families
- Everyday stops can escalate. Even a routine ticket can lead to immigration checks.
- Carry required documents. A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance reduce risk at a stop.
- Prepare a safety plan. Keep emergency contacts, childcare plans, and key records ready.
- Seek help early. Contact trusted nonprofits and attorneys at the first sign of a case.
- Stay informed. Track custody and court updates and keep copies of all paperwork.
Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez’s case is still unfolding. For her family, every day in detention is a day apart from work, clients, and loved ones. For many in Alabama, it’s also a warning—and a call to build better protections for long-term neighbors who call this place home.
This Article in a Nutshell
Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez, 24, an Alabama immigrant advocate, was taken into ICE custody after an August 5 traffic stop. Family disputes speed claims and fights her transfer to Louisiana for deportation hearings. Community groups and ¡HICA! are fundraising and seeking pro bono counsel while police cite standard procedures and released video evidence.
