The Trump administration sent ICE agents to 14 airports across the country — none of them in the Bay Area. But on the same day, ICE agents detained a Guatemalan woman and her 9-year-old daughter at SFO. The two events stem from different mechanisms, and the distinction matters.
Bay Area Airports Left Off ICE Deployment List
According to ABC News, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents to 14 airports to assist TSA — amid a funding lapse at DHS that has left thousands of TSA officers working without pay since February. The list includes JFK, LaGuardia, O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and others. SFO, Oakland, and San Jose were not included. SFO uses private contractors for screening rather than federal TSA employees, so checkpoint operations at the airport were not affected. A spokesperson for Oakland International Airport confirmed the facility received no notification of ICE agent placement.
ICE Detained a Guatemalan Woman at SFO
On Sunday evening, plainclothes ICE agents detained Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and her 9-year-old daughter in Terminal 3 at SFO. According to DHS, Lopez-Jimenez had been under a deportation order issued by an immigration judge in 2019. DHS said that while being escorted to the international terminal, Lopez-Jimenez attempted to flee and resisted agents. Mother and daughter were deported to Guatemala by Tuesday morning.
New York Times: TSA Tipped Off ICE Ahead of Arrest
Citing federal documents, The New York Times reported that TSA officers found Lopez-Jimenez’s name on the passenger manifest for a flight to Miami and notified ICE several days before departure. SFO spokesman Doug Yakel confirmed the arrest had no connection to the ICE deployment program assisting TSA. According to KTVU, citing investigative reporter Hamed Aleaziz, similar detentions based on passenger data have occurred at airports in Utah and Boston.
SFPD Denies Assisting Federal Agents
Video footage from the incident showed several SFPD officers at the scene during the arrest. The department said officers responded to a 911 call and were present to maintain public safety, with no prior knowledge of the ICE operation. The San Francisco Public Defender’s office contends the footage shows officers forming a perimeter around the woman being detained. The Free SF Coalition held a protest, accusing police of aiding federal agents.
Mayor Lurie Reaffirms Sanctuary City Policy
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said at a press conference that city police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations. Lurie cited the city’s longstanding policy prohibiting local law enforcement from assisting with civil immigration enforcement.
Lawmakers Demand TSA Reform, ICE Transparency
State Senator Scott Wiener said sharing passenger data with immigration authorities turns airports into deportation infrastructure. Congressman John Garamendi demanded ICE provide a full account of the mother and daughter’s condition following their detention. In a joint statement, Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi and Kevin Mullin called the incident an example of how the administration’s immigration policies are affecting families across the country.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies may change. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
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