ICE agents await asylum-seekers as they leave the courtroom

Judge Patrick O’Brien has developed a routine of questioning the Homeland Security attorney regarding case dismissals in his San Francisco immigration courtroom, signaling potential arrests by ICE agents waiting outside. On Thursday, three asylum-seekers faced arrest as their cases were dismissed by the Department of Homeland Security. One man was so shocked upon exiting that he attempted to flee and was tackled by officers. Another woman asked if she could call her family, while officers took her belongings, promising a phone call later. A third man, understanding the gravity of the situation, expressed his fear of returning home and requested the court respect his due process rights.

O’Brien permitted him to text his family before his exit, demonstrating the emotional strain on those in the courtroom. This incident illustrates the increasing tension and unpredictability in immigration courts, where many face arrest after seeking asylum. Such actions raise questions about the treatment of asylum-seekers and the legal process they navigate.