ICE HQ in S.F.s Financial District has 80-year history of detaining immigrants

The ICE office in San Francisco, located at 630 Sansome St. , has a troubling history of detaining immigrants that dates back to its establishment in 1946. Recent mass arrests and long-term detentions have brought renewed scrutiny to the facility. Leong Bick Ha's suicide in 1948, occurring after her detention under distressing conditions, exemplifies the tragic outcomes faced by detainees. Historian Brianna Nofil highlights that the building's discreet location allowed for the normalization of immigrant detentions, often overlooked by the public.

Thousands of detainees, including women and children, endured harsh conditions during the facility's early years. A striking incident in 1948, when Huang Lai threatened to jump from the building, marked the first time many residents learned of the detention center's existence. The building's legacy raises ongoing questions about the treatment of immigrants and the transparency of detention practices. As public awareness grows, calls for reform in immigration policy and enforcement procedures continue to intensify.