Recent videos shared on social media depict a troubling scene at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday night, where ICE agents were seen detaining a woman in front of her young daughter, prompting shock and outrage among onlookers. In one clip, a crowd can be seen recording the event while expressing their disapproval towards a line of police officers as two plainclothes agents forcibly escort the visibly distressed woman into a blue wheelchair, with handcuffs hanging from her wrist. "Leave her alone," one witness shouted, while another exclaimed, "What the f**k are you doing?" A different angle captured the woman being restrained on the ground, crying out, as her daughter, with braided hair, sobbed nearby, while someone in the crowd demanded the agents' badge numbers.
As the footage concludes, the two agents carry the woman away while an officer guides the young girl alongside them. Approximately ten officers surrounded the scene, disregarding the crowd's protests and jeers. "We'll remember your faces," one individual shouted, while another remarked, "This is the face of America. Congratulations."
Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for SFO, informed SFGATE on Monday that federal officers were in the process of transporting two individuals for an outbound flight when the incident unfolded. The airport characterized the event as isolated and stated there was no indication of broader enforcement actions occurring at SFO. Yakel emphasized that the airport had no prior knowledge of the operation, stating, "The airport's role is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facility for all passengers and staff."
The San Francisco Police Department also clarified its involvement, noting that officers responded to a 911 call around 10 PM on Sunday and identified the situation as involving federal immigration officials. According to the department's media relations unit, "Consistent with our City Charter, state law, and SFPD department policy, we do not assist in the enforcement of civil federal immigration laws." Officers were present solely to ensure public safety, not to facilitate immigration enforcement.
California state Senator Scott Wiener shared one of the videos on X, expressing his outrage. He stated, "ICE was at SFO airport last night, terrorizing a mother while her daughter watched," and called for ICE to withdraw from California. The footage sparked widespread condemnation online, with many viewers particularly affected by the sight of the young girl crying as her mother was forcibly taken away.
