**First Federal Arrests at San Francisco Immigration Court Shake Advocates**

In a notable occurrence at San Francisco Immigration Court, plainclothes federal agents detained at least four individuals, sparking concern among immigration attorneys and advocates. Witnesses, including a reporter from The Standard, observed several plainclothes officers, one displaying an ICE badge, escort a man in handcuffs out of the courthouse at 100 Montgomery St. He was subsequently placed into a white van marked with Department of Homeland Security plates.

Immigration attorneys and witnesses reported three additional arrests. When approached, the federal agents declined to comment. Nearby, a parked Chevrolet Impala with a "ICE Official Business" sign on its dashboard was watched over by a uniformed officer. Laura Sanchez, an attorney with the Rapid Response Network, highlighted that DHS attorneys are requesting "custody redetermination," allowing ICE to detain immigrants awaiting hearings. "This is new," Sanchez stated, noting her 15-year career had not seen such a systematic pattern before.

Advocates warned last week about a possible shift in DHS tactics to dismiss cases, potentially paving the way for ICE agents to arrest immigrants post-dismissal. Lori Melgarejo, Faith in Action's executive director, stressed the significance of immigrants attending hearings despite the risk of detention.

Tuesday's events unfolded without much resistance from detainees, and passersby briefly paused to observe the activities without causing a scene. After detaining the man, agents re-entered the building as the van, driven by what appeared to be a uniformed private security officer with a "G4S" patch, departed. G4S has been linked with conducting deportations for the U.S. government since 2006.

DHS defended the increased detentions, attributing the actions to the current administration's stronger enforcement policies compared to previous lax regulations. Their statement emphasized that those without valid claims of credible fear would face swift deportation.

The latest ICE activities in San Francisco have heightened concerns among immigration advocates who argue these tactics aim to terrorize immigrants and undermine their constitutional rights. Ali Saidi of Stand Together Contra Costa condemned this "coordinated campaign of fear-mongering," underlining the importance of maintaining legal avenues for seeking asylum.

The arrests represent a significant shift in ICE’s methods in San Francisco, prompting a wave of apprehension among immigrant communities and their advocates, who remain vigilant in providing guidance and support to those affected.