For first time in recent memory, ICE officers detained U.S. citizens in S.F.

ICE detained two U. S. citizens during a protest outside its field office in San Francisco, marking a concerning first for the Bay Area, according to immigration lawyers. Legal experts, including Jennifer Friedman from the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, labeled these arrests as an unlawful overreach of civil immigration enforcement authority. ICE agents can arrest citizens for federal crimes if they have reasonable suspicion, despite lacking jurisdiction over immigration violations.

The agency's recent actions have drawn scrutiny, especially since only seven of the 38 individuals charged in Los Angeles have faced successful indictments. In contrast, approximately 90% of general federal prosecutions typically result in guilty pleas. Recent arrests highlight a troubling trend as ICE appears to expand its enforcement scope. The legal ramifications of these detentions raise significant concerns about civil rights and law enforcement accountability. Advocates for civil liberties continue to challenge the legality and implications of ICE's actions in these contexts.