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Gainesville, FL - A University of Florida student’s deportation following a routine traffic stop has triggered protests on campus and renewed scrutiny over immigration enforcement involving international students.
According to reports, 27-year-old Felipe Zapata Velasquez, a Colombian national, was deported earlier this month after being arrested by Gainesville police in late March.
According to the arrest report, Zapata Velasquez was pulled over for allegedly driving with a suspended license and expired registration.
Zapata Velasquez informed officers during the stop that he was an international student.
He was initially booked into the Alachua County Jail before being transferred to ICE custody.
Federal immigration officials said Zapata Velasquez originally entered the U.S. in 2023 on an F-1 student visa to attend Santa Fe College.
However, that visa was terminated on October 4, 2024, after he failed to enroll.
His family claims he had since enrolled at the University of Florida and was in the process of updating his visa status.
ICE confirmed that Zapata Velasquez voluntarily departed the U.S. on April 6th.
His mother said he is recovering back in Colombia, both physically and emotionally.
In response, students held a protest at UF’s Turlington Plaza, expressing fear and frustration over the treatment of international students.
Organizers said the situation has created anxiety across campus, particularly among those on student visas.
The incident has also drawn attention from lawmakers, with some calling for reforms to protect international students from similar outcomes.
UF officials confirmed his enrollment but have not issued further comments.