ICE arrests asylum-seeker at S.F. immigration court after weeks without detentions

ICE agents arrested an asylum-seeker at a San Francisco immigration court on Thursday morning, marking the first detention since early October. The woman, in her early 30s, arrived late for her hearing after being scammed by a fake legal service and appeared without legal representation. Following the Department of Homeland Security attorney's motion to dismiss her case, Judge Patrick O’Brien agreed, leading to her immediate detention by ICE agents in the hallway. This incident stands in stark contrast to recent weeks, during which no arrests occurred after court hearings, although there were two unrelated detentions. Attorneys attribute the decline in arrests to successful habeas corpus petitions that have secured the release of those detained.

Earlier that morning, the courtroom was relatively lighthearted, with families present despite the underlying tension of potential deportations. Judge O’Brien emphasized the importance of legal representation, noting that outcomes without counsel could be dire. The arrest of the asylum-seeker highlights ongoing concerns regarding ICE's enforcement practices and the challenges faced by immigrants navigating the legal system.