Immigration agents detained two more people outside the San Francisco immigration courthouse at 100 Montgomery St. on Wednesday morning, according to advocates and witnesses.
Witnesses who were working along the building’s southern exit on Sutter Street say the immigration agents — at least two of whom were wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement badges and face coverings, and another dressed in plainclothes — exited through a small door on Sutter around 10:55 a.m.
Two men were loaded into the van, one of whom witnesses report was in handcuffs. Milli Atkinson, an immigration specialist with the Bar Association of San Francisco, also confirmed the two arrests. Atkinson said the first arrest was at 10:11 a.m. this morning.
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Arrests outside immigration court have ramped up. Attorneys say President Donald Trump’s administration is using a novel legal tactic to fast-track deportations, asking judges to dismiss asylum cases and then immediately nabbing asylum seekers after their hearings.
In San Francisco, the vast majority of ICE arrests are hitting those showing up for court hearings or regular ICE check-ins.https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lWS6c/7/
Earlier this month, advocates and journalists filmed ICE agents escorting men from court into a minivan that was swiftly surrounded by protesters attempting to block the arrests. On Tuesday, ICE agents shoved protesters who had gathered outside the ICE headquarters at 630 Sansome St., trying to stop more arrests.
Shortly after the demonstration on Tuesday, the ICE office shut down for the day.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
