Gómez Mont Hails Freedom Bid Rejected by Federal Judge

Mexican television presenter Inés Gómez Mont filed an emergency legal motion on October 30 to challenge her immigration detention in the United States. The filing sought a judicial review of the legality of her arrest and aimed to block her transfer to a different facility while the court evaluated her case.

Gómez Mont was detained in Miami on Friday, October 30, due to her pending immigration status. She is currently held at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, according to records from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agency maintains jurisdiction over her while U.S. officials determine her legal standing in the country.

Federal Judge Jeffrey Kuntz reviewed the emergency request and rejected the measure. Instead of granting the immediate relief sought by her defense, Kuntz ordered ICE to provide a formal justification for the detention by Wednesday, November 4. The judge’s ruling requires the agency to substantiate the basis for holding Gómez Mont before the next court date.

The legal action marks the first step in her challenge against the immigration authorities. Her lawyers submitted the habeas corpus petition to a federal court in Florida, arguing for a swift review of her custody. The center where she is detained serves as a temporary holding facility for migrants in the state.

Gómez Mont has faced a Mexican arrest warrant since September 2021. The order stems from allegations of embezzling public funds, tax evasion, and dealing with money of illicit origin. It remains unclear whether Mexican authorities have formally requested her immediate extradition to face those charges.