I dont want to be detained by ICE Fear permeates S.F. immigration court

An asylum seeker in San Francisco withdrew his application on Tuesday, citing fear of arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Initially seeking refuge due to a death threat, he expressed a heightened concern for his safety amid increased detentions following court hearings. Immigration advocates report that the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement actions are causing individuals with valid asylum claims to abandon the process. Judge Arwen Swink conducted due diligence to ensure the man's decision was voluntary before granting his request for voluntary departure. Other asylum seekers in the courtroom also voiced fears of detention, illustrating a growing climate of anxiety surrounding immigration proceedings.

One individual faced a final hearing date set for 2029 and worried about deportation before that date. Advocates like Milli Atkinson from the Bar Association of San Francisco emphasize the impact of fear on community members with no criminal history. These trends underscore the urgent need for policy changes to protect individuals seeking asylum in the U. S.