ICE's Unprecedented Sweeps at Bay Area Immigration Courts Spark Outrage

ICE Agents Detain Immigrants at Bay Area Courts, Sparking Outrage San Francisco, CA – May 31, 2025 – A recent series of detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside Bay Area immigration courts has ignited controversy and concern. The actions, witnessed firsthand by NBC Bay Area cameras, involved the apprehension of at least eight individuals this week alone. Retired immigration judges have described the events as unprecedented, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the immigration system. "I've never seen anything like this in my three decades on the bench," stated Judge James Fujimoto, a retired Chicago-area immigration judge, in an interview with NBC Bay Area. He expressed concern that such actions could erode public trust in the judicial process and create a climate of fear within vulnerable communities. The video report also features Shayleen Ordas, whose husband Angelo was detained last week. "They grabbed him, they grabbed me, and they pulled us apart," she recounted, her voice filled with emotion. Angelo, who has been in the country for a year and a half, now faces the choice of expedited removal or continuing his legal fight from a detention center. ICE's emailed statement confirmed enforcement actions at immigration courts, but refused to provide details on who was targeted or why. This lack of transparency further fuels concerns about the impact of these actions on the integrity of the immigration court system and the well-being of immigrant communities. While the situation remains tense, the availability of video conferencing options like Zoom for hearings offers a potential avenue for mitigating future incidents and ensuring access to justice for all.