FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 28, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
SF Latino Democrats Condemn Undercover ICE Arrests at Immigration Court
The San Francisco Latino Democrats (SFLDC) unequivocally condemn yesterday’s arrests carried out by plain‑clothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside the San Francisco Immigration Court. At least two community members were detained after appearing for scheduled hearings—an unprecedented escalation that weaponizes the very process meant to ensure due process and fairness.
Targeting people who obey the law by showing up for court violates the spirit of justice, chills the exercise of legal rights, and undermines San Francisco’s hard‑won status as a sanctuary city. These covert operations erode the already thin trust between immigrant communities and government institutions.
Due process must be protected, and courthouses must remain safe spaces where people can resolve their cases without fear of arrest or retaliation. The San Francisco Latino Democratic Club urges every immigrant with a scheduled hearing to keep that court date - missing even one appearance can trigger a removal order - and to seek assistance from legal counsel or trusted community organizations if they feel unsafe.
Sanctuary laws matter: we call on the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, Governor Newsom, and the federal government to demand an immediate halt to courthouse enforcement actions that violate California’s Values Act and San Francisco’s Sanctuary Ordinance. Specifically, we demand an immediate suspension of undercover ICE operations at all Bay Area immigration courts, full public accountability from the Department of Homeland Security - including a detailed report on the decision‑making behind these arrests - and to strengthen local safeguards, such as clear signage and marshal protocols, to ensure courthouse spaces remain free from civil immigration enforcement.
We Stand With Our Immigrant Neighbors. No one should be punished for seeking justice. We remain steadfast in defending every individual's right to a fair hearing, to due process, and to live without fear. Our community will not tolerate intimidation tactics, and we will continue to mobilize until these abuses end.
Una injusticia contra uno es una injusticia contra todos.
San Francisco Latino Democratic Club