San Francisco ICE Pledges Targeted Deportations Amid Sanctuary Policy Tensions

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Key Takeaways

San Francisco ICE enforces federal immigration laws, focusing on offenders despite the city’s sanctuary policies protecting immigrants.
Advocacy groups and local institutions counter fear, misinformation, and ICE activity by supporting immigrant families and providing resources.
Federal-local tensions persist as immigration enforcement clashes with sanctuary policies, sparking legal and public resistance to protect community values.

The San Francisco Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office has reiterated its dedication to upholding federal immigration laws, including carrying out deportations. This announcement underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies. Despite the city’s sanctuary status, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) remains active, targeting individuals they categorize as threats to public safety.

On January 28, 2025, ICE’s ERO office in San Francisco confirmed the arrest of Juan Velasquez-Francisco, a Guatemalan national. Velasquez-Francisco had previously been convicted of lewd and lascivious acts involving a minor. His criminal history also includes a 2021 conviction for driving under the influence, as well as more recent offenses in November 2024 related to sexual misconduct involving a minor. According to ERO officials, this arrest signals their focus on addressing cases of violent offenders and others they identify as risks to public safety. Orestes Cruz, the Acting Field Office Director of ERO San Francisco, emphasized this commitment, stating, “ERO officers in the San Francisco area of operations are committed to enforcing our nation’s immigration laws against violent criminals, sex offenders, and others who pose a threat to public safety.”

San Francisco ICE Pledges Targeted Deportations Amid Sanctuary Policy Tensions

While the enforcement of federal immigration laws continues in San Francisco, local communities are increasingly vocal in their opposition. As a sanctuary city, San Francisco limits its cooperation with federal enforcement efforts, a practice designed to protect its immigrant population. Concerns over deportation efforts have added a layer of anxiety to daily life for many undocumented immigrants in the city. Community organizations and legal advocates have responded by spreading accurate information, providing support, and working to combat misinformation.

Earlier in January, rumors of large-scale ICE operations rattled residents in San Francisco’s Mission District. Reports of detentions quickly spread, sparking fear among vulnerable communities. However, advocates, including Milli Atkinson, Director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program at the San Francisco Bar Association, moved swiftly to clarify the situation. Atkinson stated that widespread claims of mass raids were exaggerated, confirming that just one person was detained on January 15. This individual turned out to be the only documented ICE arrest in the area during that period.

To keep community members informed and calm amid the confusion, the SF Rapid Response Network, a coalition of 21 organizations, ramped up its activities. Volunteers responded to multiple calls about suspected ICE operations on January 10, 13, and 15. These efforts aim to monitor federal activities, educate residents on their legal rights, and offer support to those targeted by immigration agents. The Rapid Response Network has set up a hotline for people to report suspected ICE activity, ensuring prompt verification and response. Despite these efforts, conflicting reports have complicated the narrative. For instance, Peninsula 360 Press, a Spanish-language newspaper, claimed that three undocumented residents were detained on January 10, citing a confidential witness.

The tension between federal and local authorities over immigration matters is not new to San Francisco. As a sanctuary city, San Francisco has long adopted policies to reduce its involvement with federal immigration enforcement. These policies, which extend across the Bay Area, include limiting cooperation between local police and federal agents. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto reaffirmed his office’s commitment to these policies, reiterating that his deputies would neither assist ICE nor obstruct immigration agents during enforcement actions. Local leaders, such as California State Senator Jesse Arreguin, have also lent their voices to defend the state’s sanctuary policies. Senator Arreguin publicly responded to federal actions, stating, “Come at me. We are here to protect the safety of our residents. California is a sanctuary state, and it’s critical that we remain a sanctuary state. He will not intimidate us; he will not scare us.”

Beyond law enforcement, San Francisco’s public institutions have also taken steps to address the challenges posed by heightened immigration enforcement. For example, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has implemented guidance to protect students and their families. SFUSD does not ask about or track the immigration status of its students, but officials recognize the potential for schools to be targeted in enforcement actions. Superintendent Maria Su outlined policies requiring staff to contact the district’s legal office immediately if immigration agents visit any school. This protocol ensures thorough checks of the agents’ purpose for being on school grounds and emphasizes protecting students from unauthorized questioning or detentions.

SFUSD has also sought to support the city’s immigrant families by providing resources. During the 2023-2024 school year, the district reported that about 25% of its students were in English learner programs, which serve many children from immigrant families. In collaboration with local nonprofits, schools have begun hosting “know your rights” training sessions, equipping parents and students with practical tools to manage encounters with immigration officials.

The arrest of Juan Velasquez-Francisco serves as a sharp reminder of the ongoing and often controversial operations by San Francisco ICE. Federal officials continue to defend their authority to enforce immigration laws within sanctuary cities, such as San Francisco, with a particular focus on individuals who have prior criminal convictions. These cases often draw attention, leading to a broader conversation about the limits of local sanctuary policies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the conflicts between federal operations and local protections illustrate the challenges created when authority is divided between national and regional governments. Local leaders have framed their resistance to federal practices as efforts to uphold community safety and values, countering the idea that sanctuary cities harbor offenders.

Adding another layer to this growing tension is President Donald Trump’s most recent executive order targeting birthright citizenship. While unrelated to ICE’s enforcement actions in San Francisco, this January 20, 2025, directive seeks to block federal agencies from recognizing citizenship documents for children born to undocumented parents. This move has prompted fierce opposition from local and state leaders, including San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, who has joined a nationwide effort to challenge the order in court. Legal experts argue that such orders overturn long-standing interpretations of the U.S. Constitution and could lead to further confusion for immigrant families.

The contrast between federal enforcement priorities and local protections has left San Francisco residents in a precarious position. Community members often find themselves caught between contradictory messages from federal officials and local leaders. While ICE continues to focus on individuals with criminal histories, the broader immigrant community often feels the ripple effects, creating fear and mistrust. Some advocates believe that misinformation may be used intentionally to disrupt immigrant communities. Veteran community activist Roberto Hernandez has warned that certain rumors about ICE activity seem designed to create panic rather than inform residents.

As immigration dynamics in San Francisco evolve, one theme remains consistent: advocacy groups and local institutions are doubling down on their commitment to protecting immigrant communities. The SF Rapid Response Network, legal defense programs, and public information campaigns aim to ensure that residents have access to verified information and resources. Such efforts are critical in combating fear and preventing unnecessary disruption to the lives of thousands of families.

While San Francisco ICE maintains that its agents are enforcing immigration laws, particularly in cases involving people they label as threats to the public, the city’s sanctuary policies show no signs of changing. Community leaders, advocates, and families continue to push back, ensuring that immigrant rights remain central to the city’s values. In this ongoing power struggle, the balance between federal law enforcement and local sanctuary protections remains unsettled—but it’s clear that neither side is stepping back. For official and verified information about ICE policies and programs, individuals can refer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which offers additional resources and updates.

San Francisco ICE ramps up deportation efforts

San Francisco’s ICE office is intensifying immigration enforcement, including deportations, despite the city’s sanctuary policies. This comes amid increasing tensions between federal and local immigration stances.

Why it matters: The clash between federal immigration policies and sanctuary city laws impacts immigrant communities in San Francisco, creating confusion and fear, especially as deportations target individuals with criminal records.

State of play:
– On Jan. 28, ICE arrested Guatemalan national Juan Velasquez-Francisco, convicted of lewd acts with a minor in Nov. 2024.
– ICE’s Orestes Cruz said their focus is on “violent criminals, sex offenders and others who pose a threat to public safety.”
– Advocacy groups are working to counter misinformation and assist immigrants, with reports of conflicting ICE activity in the area still circulating.

What they’re saying:
– Milli Atkinson, San Francisco Bar Association: “Recent reports of widespread ICE activity were largely baseless.”
– State Senator Jesse Arreguin reaffirmed California’s sanctuary status, pledging, “He will not scare us to do the work we need to do to stand for our values.”

By the numbers:
– San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD): Over 12,000 students in English learner classes in 2023-24, representing 25% of the student population.
– SF Rapid Response Network, involving 21 organizations, has received and verified calls, deploying volunteers to monitor rumored ICE operations.

Yes, but: Misinformation is rampant. Some media outlets and witnesses claim multiple ICE arrests, while immigrant advocates work to verify rumors and calm community fears.

Between the lines: Local officials are balancing compliance with federal laws while adhering to sanctuary ordinances. Actions like district-level legal protocols and “know your rights” workshops aim to protect undocumented residents.

The bottom line: As ICE continues targeting individuals with criminal convictions, San Francisco’s sanctuary policies and grassroots organizing remain crucial in supporting immigrant communities amid a deeply polarized immigration landscape.

Learn Today

Sanctuary city: A city that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Deportation: The formal removal process of a non-citizen from a country for violating immigration or criminal laws.
Rapid Response Network: A coalition of organizations that monitors immigration enforcement actions and provides support and legal resources to communities.
Birthright citizenship: The right of individuals born within a country’s territory to automatically obtain citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Executive order: A directive issued by a government leader, such as the U.S. president, that carries the force of law without legislative approval.

This Article in a Nutshell

San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies clash with ICE’s reinforced federal immigration enforcement, spotlighted by the recent arrest of a convicted sex offender. While ICE targets individuals deemed threats, local communities rally to protect immigrants through legal aid and information networks. This tension highlights a broader debate over public safety versus immigrant rights.
— By VisaVerge.com