S.F. immigration court shuts down after ICE protests, arrests

San Francisco's federal immigration courthouse experienced a shutdown on Tuesday after about 200 protesters gathered in response to ICE arrests outside. Demonstrators surrounded a silver minivan as agents detained two individuals, leading to chants and signs advocating for immigrant rights. The protests escalated, prompting court officials to cancel scheduled hearings due to security concerns. One detainee, a Colombian national, shared his fear of returning home and expressed appreciation for the public support. This event continues a recent pattern of ICE arrests occurring immediately after court hearings.

Protesters have increasingly taken to the streets in San Francisco, with similar demonstrations reported in Concord. Francisco Ugarte of the Public Defender’s Office criticized the presence of ICE agents at the courthouse, calling it antithetical to democracy. The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the city.