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

The ICE office at 630 Sansome St. in San Francisco has a complex history intertwined with U. S. immigration policy, dating back to its establishment as the headquarters for the Immigration and Naturalization Services after World War II. In 1948, Leong Bick Ha, a Chinese woman detained there, committed suicide after being denied asylum, highlighting the building's tragic past.

Thousands of immigrants have been processed there, often under harsh conditions, including children and families. Historian Brianna Nofil emphasizes that the office environment allowed for unnoticed detentions, leading to a lack of public awareness. Recent protests and violent incidents have reignited scrutiny of the building's role in immigration enforcement. The facility's long-standing practices have raised questions about human rights and the treatment of asylum seekers. In particular, the case of Huang Lai, who attempted suicide in 1948 while detained, drew significant public attention.

As mass arrests and extended detentions continue, the public is becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about the implications of such practices at 630 Sansome St.