Driver Released After 3-Week ICE Detention Over GPS Navigation Error at Canadian Border

Key Details Truck driver Arnaldo Gregorio Alay Aguilar was detained by ICE for three weeks after accidentally crossing into Canada while following his GPS navigation in March. The Vermont-based driver was working an extra timber haul from Vermont to New York when his GPS directed him to the Highgate Springs border crossing. After being forced to enter Canada and turn around, he faced detention upon attempting to reenter the United States. What Went Wrong CBP officials instructed Aguilar to exit his truck and cited a manifest issue with his vehicle. Officers confiscated his phone, handcuffed him, and transported him to Northwest State Correctional Facility without providing a clear legal basis for the detention. Communication barriers complicated the situation, as CBP did not translate conversations with the driver. Why It Matters A federal judge ruled that the government failed to provide legally sufficient grounds for Aguilar's detention, citing constitutional violations. U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford ordered his immediate release. Aguilar, who has lived in North Carolina for two years with valid work authorization, has now resumed his job and will continue pursuing his pending asylum case. The case highlights procedural concerns for drivers navigating border areas and the importance of proper due process in immigration detention.