Key Takeaways
• Hilary Rivers, a gay asylum seeker, was arrested by ICE June 25, 2025, after a San Francisco court hearing.
• New federal policy allows ICE to detain asylum seekers immediately by filing motions to dismiss cases.
• At least 20 people arrested with active cases; LGBTQ+ and immigrant groups strongly oppose these courthouse arrests.
A San Francisco drag performer known as Hilary Rivers was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 25, 2025, immediately after attending a scheduled asylum hearing at the San Francisco immigration court. Rivers, a gay immigrant from Central America, had a pending asylum application based on documented “traumatic and severe” persecution in his home country. Despite his lawful presence in the United States 🇺🇸 while his asylum claim was being considered, ICE officers arrested him as he exited the courthouse. He was then transferred from the San Francisco ICE field office at 630 Sansome Street to an ICE detention facility in McFarland, near Bakersfield, California.
This incident has sparked strong reactions from the local LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, legal advocates, and city officials. The timing of Rivers’ detention—during Pride Week and just after his performance at the 30th annual Miss & Mr. Safe Latino 2025 Pageant—has intensified the emotional and political response in San Francisco. As of July 1, 2025, Rivers remains in ICE custody, with ongoing concerns about his safety, access to medication, and due process rights.
New Federal Enforcement Tactics in San Francisco
What Changed in 2025?
Since late May 2025, the Trump administration has introduced a new enforcement practice in San Francisco and other cities. Government attorneys in immigration hearings have started filing motions to dismiss asylum cases. The goal is to strip individuals of the protections from deportation that are usually in place while their cases are pending. If a judge grants the motion, ICE can immediately detain the person and start expedited removal proceedings. However, even when judges deny these motions—as happened in Rivers’ case—ICE has still proceeded with arrests outside the courthouse.
At least 20 people in San Francisco have been affected by these “courthouse arrests” in recent weeks. Only two had their cases dismissed by judges; the majority, like Rivers, still had active, pending asylum applications. This new tactic has raised serious questions about the rights of asylum seekers and the limits of federal enforcement power.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
U.S. law generally allows asylum seekers to stay in the country while their claims are being reviewed. The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution also guarantees due process, including the right to a hearing before deportation, except in certain rare cases. Legal advocates argue that the new courthouse arrest policy violates these rights. They say it undermines the basic principles of the asylum system and puts vulnerable people at risk of immediate detention and removal.
San Francisco’s sanctuary city policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, are also being tested by these actions. Local officials and organizations have described the federal government’s approach as an overreach and a disregard for local protections.
Community Response and Advocacy
Immediate Outcry and Mobilization
Rivers’ detention has galvanized the local LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. The fact that it happened during Pride Week, a time of heightened visibility for queer and Latinx residents, has added to the sense of urgency and outrage. Community organizations have responded quickly:
- San Francisco Pride issued a strong statement condemning the detention and calling for Rivers’ immediate release. They highlighted the important contributions of queer immigrants to the city.
- Galería de la Raza and other groups have organized letter-writing campaigns, public rallies, and resource drives to support Rivers and others facing similar arrests.
- San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative, led by legal director Milli Atkinson, is coordinating Rivers’ legal defense and monitoring ICE practices.
- Community members are being encouraged to contact the San Francisco ICE field office (1-415-365-8800) and the Mesa Verde ICE detention center (1-888-351-4024) to ask about Rivers’ status and advocate for his rights.
Key Voices
Milli Atkinson described the detention as a “complete, flagrant violation of what our asylum system was built on,” emphasizing that Rivers had fully complied with U.S. law. San Francisco Pride leaders Maceo Persson and Jupiter Peraza called for solidarity with Rivers and the broader immigrant community. Ani Rivera of Galería de la Raza stressed the need to protect Rivers’ confidentiality and ensure his safety, while urging ongoing community support.
Local activists, including Persia, have highlighted the urgency of locating Rivers and making sure he has access to medication and legal counsel. The collective response shows the deep concern and solidarity among San Francisco residents, especially those who understand the risks faced by LGBTQ+ immigrants.
How the New Policy Disrupts the Asylum Process
Traditional Asylum Protections
Under normal circumstances, people who apply for asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 are allowed to stay in the country while their cases are being reviewed. This process can take months or even years, and applicants are generally protected from deportation during this time. They have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge, and many are able to live and work in the community while they wait.
What’s Different Now?
The new federal tactic of seeking case dismissals in court changes this process. By filing motions to dismiss, government attorneys try to remove the protections that keep asylum seekers safe from immediate detention and deportation. If the judge agrees, ICE can arrest the person on the spot. Even when judges deny these motions, as in Rivers’ case, ICE has still gone ahead with arrests.
Legal advocates say this approach violates both constitutional protections and established immigration law. It creates fear and uncertainty among undocumented and asylum-seeking populations, especially within LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities in San Francisco.
Due Process and Human Rights
The right to due process is a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system. This means that everyone, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to a fair hearing before being deported. Legal experts warn that the new enforcement approach may set a dangerous precedent for bypassing due process in immigration cases, particularly targeting vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ immigrants.
The Impact on San Francisco’s Sanctuary Policies
San Francisco has long been known as a sanctuary city, with policies designed to protect undocumented and asylum-seeking residents from detention and deportation. These policies limit how much local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The city’s approach is meant to build trust between immigrant communities and local government, making it easier for people to report crimes, seek help, and participate in civic life without fear of deportation.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on aggressive immigration enforcement, including courthouse arrests and expedited removals, has reignited conflict with local governments and advocacy groups. San Francisco officials and community leaders have denounced the federal actions as a threat to the city’s values and the safety of its residents.
The Unique Risks Faced by LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers
People who flee their home countries because of persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity are recognized as a particularly vulnerable group under U.S. and international asylum law. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers often face violence, discrimination, and even death threats in their countries of origin. The United States 🇺🇸 has long offered protection to those who can show they have a well-founded fear of persecution.
Rivers’ case highlights the special risks faced by LGBTQ+ immigrants. Community leaders emphasize that these individuals are already at higher risk of harm, both in their home countries and in detention settings. Ensuring their safety and access to fair legal processes is a matter of life and death.
Legal Challenges and the Road Ahead
Preparing for Court
Advocacy groups are preparing legal challenges to the new courthouse arrest policy. They argue that it is incompatible with due process and the protections guaranteed to asylum seekers under U.S. law. Legal teams are gathering evidence, filing motions, and working to ensure that detained individuals like Rivers receive fair treatment.
Ongoing Community Action
Community organizations are planning more public demonstrations, legal defense fundraising, and direct support for detained individuals. They are also calling for increased transparency and accountability from ICE and other federal agencies. Local officials and immigrant rights groups are closely monitoring ICE practices and federal policy changes.
How to Get Involved
- Contact the San Francisco ICE Field Office: 1-415-365-8800
- Contact the Mesa Verde ICE Detention Center: 1-888-351-4024
- Support Legal Defense Efforts: Reach out to the San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative through local legal aid organizations.
- Join Community Actions: Attend rallies, write letters, and sign up for updates through organizations like San Francisco Pride, Galería de la Raza, and others.
For more information on asylum procedures and rights, readers can visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum page.
What This Means for Immigrants, Families, and the Community
For Asylum Seekers
The new enforcement tactics create uncertainty and fear for people with pending asylum applications. Even those who have followed all legal requirements and have not had their cases dismissed by a judge may still face detention and possible removal. This undermines trust in the legal system and makes it harder for people to seek protection.
For Families and Supporters
Families of detained individuals often struggle to locate their loved ones, secure legal representation, and ensure access to medical care. The emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. Community support networks play a vital role in providing resources and advocacy.
For the Broader Community
The policy shift affects not only immigrants but also the broader San Francisco community. It challenges the city’s identity as a place of refuge and inclusion. Local businesses, cultural organizations, and civic groups have all spoken out against the federal actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable residents.
Expert and Community Perspectives
Legal experts warn that the new enforcement approach may set a precedent for bypassing due process in immigration cases. They stress the importance of upholding constitutional protections and ensuring that everyone receives a fair hearing. Community leaders highlight the intersectional harm to LGBTQ+ immigrants, who already face heightened risks of persecution and marginalization.
ICE has not issued a detailed public statement on Rivers’ case as of July 1, 2025, but maintains that it is acting within its enforcement authority. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the situation in San Francisco reflects a broader trend of increased immigration enforcement and legal challenges under the Trump administration.
Background: San Francisco’s History as a Sanctuary City
San Francisco has a long history of protecting immigrants and asylum seekers. The city’s sanctuary policies are designed to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and create a safe environment for all residents. These policies have been tested before, but the current wave of courthouse arrests represents a new challenge.
The conflict between federal and local authorities is not new, but the stakes are especially high for vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Rivers’ case has become a symbol of the broader struggle to protect due process and human rights in the face of changing federal policies.
Summary Table: Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Hilary Rivers (stage name) |
| Date of Detention | June 25, 2025 |
| Location of Detention | SF ICE field office; transferred to McFarland ICE facility |
| Legal Status | Pending asylum application; case not dismissed by judge |
| Policy Context | New Trump admin practice: courthouse arrests, motions to dismiss cases |
| Community Response | Outcry, rallies, legal defense, letter-writing campaigns |
| Key Organizations | SF Pride, Galería de la Raza, Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative |
| Contact Numbers | SF ICE: 1-415-365-8800; Mesa Verde: 1-888-351-4024 |
| Next Steps | Legal challenges, advocacy, public mobilization, monitoring |
Next Steps and How to Stay Informed
This situation remains highly dynamic, with legal, policy, and community responses evolving rapidly. For immediate updates and ways to support Rivers and others affected:
- Sign up for updates and solidarity actions via the San Francisco Pride website.
- Attend rallies and write letters to show support for detained individuals.
- Contact ICE facilities to advocate for the rights and safety of those in custody.
For those seeking more information on asylum rights and procedures, the USCIS asylum page provides official guidance.
The case of Hilary Rivers in San Francisco is a powerful reminder of the challenges facing immigrants and asylum seekers under changing federal policies. It also highlights the importance of community action, legal advocacy, and the ongoing fight to protect the rights and dignity of all residents.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining suspected violators.
Asylum seeker → A person seeking protection in the U.S. from persecution or harm in their home country.
Sanctuary city → A city with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented residents.
Due process → Legal requirement that ensures fair treatment through the judicial system, including hearings before deportation.
Motion to dismiss → A legal request by government attorneys to end an asylum case to allow immediate detention.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hilary Rivers’ June 2025 arrest by ICE after his asylum hearing reveals new federal tactics targeting LGBTQ+ immigrants in sanctuary cities like San Francisco.
— By VisaVerge.com
