High school student detained by ICE at traffic stop, released after judge rules detention violated due process
Apr 24, 2026·Location: Memphis, TN
Country of origin: Nicaragua

Yasser Jose Lopez Soza, an 18-year-old high school student at Memphis Business Academy, was detained by ICE agents on February 20, 2026, while a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop on the way to a soccer game. He was held at the West Tennessee Detention Facility in Mason, Tennessee, as part of enforcement actions from the Memphis Task Force established in late 2025. Tennessee State Rep. Gabby Salinas visited him and noted he was a good student with a job and college soccer prospects. On April 24, 2026, Federal Judge Sheryl Lipman ordered his immediate release, ruling that his detention without bond violated his due process rights. Lopez Soza, originally from Nicaragua, was released after approximately two months in custody.
Timeline
Sources
- TN State Rep. visits high school student detained by ICE
Yahoo News·Mar 10, 2026·archived copy
- Memphis student detained by ICE 'not doing well,' lawmaker says
dailymemphian.com·Mar 24, 2026·archived copy
- therogersvillereview.com
- Fight continues to get Memphis high schooler out of ICE custody
- State lawmaker visits ICE facility where local student is detained
dailymemphian.com·Mar 10, 2026·archived copy
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