Key Takeaways
• ICE agents increased presence in San Francisco and Concord immigration courts during week of May 23, 2025.
• Several immigration judges fired in early 2025, causing case backlogs and fairness concerns.
• Trump administration pushes for faster deportations and mass arrests, raising immigrant anxieties.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been seen in the hallways of immigration courts in San Francisco and Concord, California, throughout the week of May 23, 2025. This marks a clear increase in immigration enforcement at court facilities in the Bay Area. The presence of ICE agents in these locations is part of a larger, nationwide effort by the current administration to step up immigration enforcement, especially as President Trump’s team works to fulfill promises of mass arrests and faster deportations.
Attorneys and court observers have reported that ICE agents are not just passing through these buildings—they are waiting in the corridors of immigration courts, including those in San Francisco and Concord. This has raised concerns among immigrants, their families, and legal advocates about the safety and fairness of the immigration court process. The increased ICE activity comes at a time when the immigration court system is already under pressure from recent administrative changes, including the firing of many immigration judges.
Below, we break down the latest developments, provide background on the affected courts, explain the recent administrative changes, and discuss what these changes mean for immigrants, attorneys, and the broader community.
ICE Agents Step Up Presence in Bay Area Immigration Courts
In the week leading up to May 23, 2025, ICE agents have been spotted in both San Francisco and Concord immigration courts. According to attorneys working in these courts, ICE agents have been present in the hallways, sometimes waiting for individuals whose cases are being heard. This is not an isolated event—similar ICE activity has been reported in immigration courts across the country.
On May 22, 2025, Spectrum News reported that ICE agents were seen waiting in the hallways of immigration courts as the Trump administration pushes forward with its plans for mass arrests. The same week, immigration courts began issuing dismissal orders for certain cases, though the exact number of affected cases is not yet clear.
Just one day earlier, on May 21, 2025, a tense situation unfolded outside an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona. ICE agents took several people into custody, which led to confrontations with protesters. While this incident happened in Arizona, it appears to be part of the same nationwide enforcement strategy that is now visible in Bay Area courts.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The increased presence of ICE agents in immigration courts is part of a broader shift in immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration. The administration has made it clear that it wants to speed up deportations and increase the number of arrests, especially for people who have been ordered removed by immigration courts.
This strategy includes:
- Increased ICE presence at court facilities: Agents are now more visible in court buildings, sometimes waiting for people whose cases are being heard.
- Faster case processing: The administration is pushing for quicker decisions in immigration cases, which can mean less time for immigrants to prepare their cases or seek legal help.
- Mass arrest pledges: President Trump’s team has promised to carry out large-scale arrests of people who are in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status.
These changes have caused anxiety among immigrants and their families, especially those with pending cases in San Francisco and Concord.
Background: The Concord and San Francisco Immigration Courts
The Concord Immigration Court is located at 1855 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 850, in Concord, California. It operates under the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) within the Department of Justice. The San Francisco immigration court is one of the busiest in the country, handling thousands of cases each year.
Both courts have seen changes in recent months, not just in enforcement but also in how cases are managed and who is making the decisions.
Recent ICE Operations in Concord
Earlier this year, on February 1, 2025, ICE agents carried out an operation in Concord, California. This event may have set the stage for the current increase in ICE activity at court facilities in the area. Since then, attorneys and advocates have been watching closely for signs of further enforcement actions.
Administrative Changes: Firing of Immigration Judges
In addition to the increased presence of ICE agents, the immigration court system has been shaken by the firing of many immigration judges. In April 2025, the Justice Department dismissed at least eight immigration judges, including four from California. This followed a larger round of firings in February 2025, when at least two dozen more judges and supervising judges lost their jobs, including five from California courts.
Why Were Judges Fired?
According to EOIR acting Director Sirce E. Owen, immigration judges do not have the same job protections as other federal employees. They do not have “multiple layers of removal restrictions” or civil service protection that had previously been granted to them. This means they can be fired more easily, especially if the administration wants to change how immigration cases are handled.
Impact on the Courts
The firing of so many judges has had a big impact on the immigration court system:
- Increased backlog: Each judge typically handles 500 to 700 cases every year, most of them deportation cases. Removing judges from the bench has made the already large backlog of cases even worse.
- Interrupted hearings: In at least one case, a judge was fired in the middle of an asylum hearing. The judge received notice by email and had to leave the courtroom immediately, leaving the case unfinished.
- Concerns about fairness: Many advocates worry that firing experienced judges will make it harder for immigrants to get a fair hearing, especially those who are detained or have complicated cases.
Matt Biggs, president of the judges’ union, has spoken out against the firings, saying they will make it even harder for the courts to keep up with the growing number of cases.
Policy Debate: Speed vs. Fairness in Immigration Courts
The recent changes in immigration enforcement and court administration have sparked a debate about how immigration cases should be handled.
Concerns from Lawmakers
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Jamie Raskin, sent a letter in March 2025 to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. They argued that firing experienced judges would hurt the quality and speed of immigration case decisions, especially for people who are detained, families, and children who fear returning to their home countries.
The lawmakers wrote that these changes would “lessen the quality of immigration case decisions and the speed at which immigration cases are adjudicated.” They also pointed out that removing assistant chief judges could slow down the handling of urgent cases.
A Different View: Fast-Tracking Cases
On the other hand, some policy experts support the administration’s efforts to speed up the process. Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation, says that the backlog is partly due to the large number of hearings and extensions that can drag cases out for years. She believes that the amount of due process given to people facing deportation is “excessive” and supports efforts to fast-track cases.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Their Families?
The increased presence of ICE agents in San Francisco and Concord immigration courts, combined with the firing of many judges, has created a climate of uncertainty and fear for many immigrants.
Key Impacts:
- Greater risk of arrest: People attending immigration court hearings may now face a higher risk of being detained by ICE agents, even if they are simply there to attend a hearing or support a family member.
- Longer wait times: With fewer judges, cases may take even longer to be heard, adding to the stress and uncertainty for immigrants and their families.
- Less access to legal help: Faster case processing and sudden changes in court staff can make it harder for people to find and work with lawyers who understand their cases.
- Increased anxiety: The visible presence of ICE agents in court buildings can make people afraid to attend their hearings, even though missing a hearing can lead to an automatic order of removal.
Advice for Those with Pending Cases
If you or someone you know has a pending case in immigration court, it is important to:
- Stay in close contact with your attorney: Legal representation is more important than ever. Attorneys can help you understand your rights and what to expect.
- Attend all scheduled hearings: Missing a hearing can have serious consequences, including being ordered removed from the United States 🇺🇸.
- Be prepared for increased security: Expect to see ICE agents and to go through security screening when entering the court building.
- Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney before answering questions from ICE agents.
For more information about your rights in immigration court, you can visit the EOIR official website.
Practical Information for Visitors to Concord Immigration Court
If you need to visit the Concord Immigration Court, here are some important details:
- Location: 1855 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 850, Concord, California
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (filing hours end at 4 p.m.), closed on federal holidays
- Parking: Free parking is available on levels 5-8 of the building’s parking structure
- Security: All visitors must pass through a metal detector and have their bags screened. Food and drinks are not allowed unless the judge says otherwise.
- Electronic devices: Only attorneys, accredited representatives, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attorneys may use electronic devices in the courtroom, and only for court-related activities.
How Are Immigration Courts Structured?
Immigration courts are part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which is under the Department of Justice. These courts handle cases involving people who may be removed (deported) from the United States 🇺🇸. Judges in these courts decide whether someone can stay in the country or must leave.
If you are involved in an immigration case, you may need to fill out certain forms, such as the EOIR-42B (Application for Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status for Certain Nonpermanent Residents). Always use the official government website to access the latest forms.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Bay Area Immigration Courts?
The situation in San Francisco and Concord is changing quickly. The presence of ICE agents in immigration courts is likely to continue as part of the administration’s push for more enforcement and faster case processing. At the same time, the firing of judges and changes in court administration may lead to longer delays and more confusion for people with pending cases.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these developments are part of a larger trend toward stricter immigration enforcement and less flexibility in the court system. Immigrants, attorneys, and advocates should stay alert for further changes in the coming weeks.
Takeaways and Next Steps
- If you have a pending case: Stay in touch with your lawyer, attend all hearings, and be prepared for increased ICE activity at court buildings.
- If you are visiting the court: Follow all security rules, and know that ICE agents may be present.
- For legal help: Seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney or a trusted legal aid organization.
- Stay informed: Check official sources like the EOIR website for updates on court procedures and your rights.
The current environment in San Francisco and Concord immigration courts is challenging, but knowing your rights and staying prepared can help you and your family face these changes with confidence.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement manages immigration enforcement and detains individuals violating immigration laws.
Immigration Courts → Judicial bodies that decide deportation and asylum cases under the Department of Justice.
EOIR → Executive Office for Immigration Review oversees immigration courts and adjudicates removal cases.
Deportation → The legal process of removing individuals from the U.S. for violating immigration laws.
Asylum Hearing → A court proceeding to determine if an immigrant qualifies for refugee protection.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE agents have markedly increased their presence in Bay Area immigration courts as the government accelerates deportations, while many judges were recently fired, worsening backlogs and fears among immigrants and attorneys about fairness and safety in ongoing cases.
— By VisaVerge.com
