Asylum-seekers are spending longer and longer at San Franciscos ICE field office

Asylum-seekers at San Francisco's ICE field office are experiencing prolonged detentions, with reports of individuals held for over 72 hours. This issue emerged following a policy change that extended allowable holding times from 12 to 72 hours, raising alarms about treatment and conditions. Between June 1 and June 26, 155 people were detained, with 38 of them held beyond the previous limit. Reports indicate that individuals sleep on thin mats or metal bunks, often in cold conditions. Detainees have raised concerns about hygiene, citing inadequate access to basic necessities like toothbrushes.

An ICE spokesperson stated that while longer stays are infrequent, the facility addresses detainees' needs. This increase in detentions correlates with a spike in arrests, as seen on June 3 and June 4. The situation underscores the pressing need for scrutiny of immigrant detention practices in the region.