An asylum seeker in San Francisco withdrew his application due to fear of detention by immigration agents after court hearings. He had planned to return home instead of facing potential arrest. This individual originally sought asylum due to threats on his life but felt the immediate threat from ICE was more pressing. Advocates are concerned that mass detentions by the Trump administration are deterring others from pursuing asylum. The courtroom atmosphere reflected deep anxiety, with family members visibly distressed and questioning the presence of ICE agents.
"My friends got detained and my family needs me," the man told Judge Arwen Swink in Spanish through an interpreter. He said he just wanted time to sell his belongings and his car before leaving.
Since the end of May, ICE agents have regularly arrested people after routine court hearings or check-ins at San Francisco's immigration court or its ICE field office, at 630 Sansome St.
The man who decided to withdraw his application for asylum asked Judge Swink if he needed multiple copies of his signed order to keep ICE agents from arresting him.
At one point, Judge Swink asked the Department of Homeland Security attorney present whether ICE agents were waiting in the hallway.
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