(SAN FRANCISCO) Federal immigration officers and protesters faced off in downtown San Francisco this week as tensions flared outside the city’s Immigration courthouse and nearby ICE field office, prompting DHS and ICE to condemn what they called violent assaults on law enforcement and reviving long-running debates about protest rights, use of force, and how federal immigration policy is carried out in the United States 🇺🇸.
The most intense clash took place on August 20, 2025, beginning at the immigration court at 100 Montgomery St. and continuing outside the ICE field office at 630 Sansome St. Roughly 30 protesters confronted DHS and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers. According to multiple accounts, the scene escalated from shouting to physical contact. Officers deployed pepper spray, rubber bullets, and batons. At least two arrests were confirmed that day, including one protester and one immigrant, with reports of additional detentions that DHS did not immediately confirm.
DHS and ICE later issued strong statements condemning assaults on officers and said force was used in response to escalating threats and efforts to block lawful enforcement. Protest organizers and legal observers pushed back, arguing that officers used aggressive tactics that risked serious injury and chilled lawful protest activity.
Escalation and arrests
Local outlets including El Tecolote, SFist, and KQED reported eyewitness claims that officers at times fired rubber bullets and pepper spray at close range, striking journalists and bystanders. One officer reportedly pepper-sprayed a colleague by accident. Protesters allege that officers punched demonstrators and used vehicles to clear intersections.
DHS officials counter that officers acted to restore order and protect personnel after repeated attempts to obstruct federal operations.
The week’s most discussed detention involved Angie Guerrero, a San Francisco native and SEIU 1021 member, who was held for 24 hours on misdemeanor charges, including destruction of property and assaulting or impeding a federal officer. Guerrero’s arrest and release fueled new demonstrations and drew union support.
According to SFist and El Tecolote, Guerrero’s case became a rallying point for critics of federal tactics, who say arrests like this raise constitutional and civil rights concerns.
In an unusual turn, ICE agents also arrested at least three U.S. citizens in San Francisco in August for protest-related activity, according to local coverage. Angela Chan, an assistant chief public defender in San Francisco, said ICE detention of U.S. citizens is “unheard of” and only allowed under very specific legal scenarios.
Her office and other civil rights advocates warn the practice risks wrongful detention and confusion over jurisdiction and due process.
On August 23, 2025, Fox News reported that a group of up to 20 protesters swarmed agents outside the courthouse and that one person allegedly threatened to stab an ICE agent and harm the agent’s family. That account intensified concern about protester violence just as civil liberties groups were sharpening their criticism of federal actions. Officials said they would continue to protect officers and enforce federal law amid rising tensions.
Rights concerns and policy context
The protests arrived amid a documented 123% surge in ICE arrests in Northern California in 2025 when compared with the last seven months of President Biden’s administration, reflecting a broader shift toward stricter enforcement.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the spike in arrests aligns with a nationwide ramp-up in operations and has stirred new friction in sanctuary jurisdictions like San Francisco, where local officials and advocates remain wary of federal involvement at courthouses and public buildings.
Recent demonstrations have included sit-ins and street blockades, which have sometimes delayed immigration hearings and increased anxiety among families who fear being separated. Advocates say targeted arrests near courtrooms can disrupt due process for immigrants who are trying to attend hearings, especially those with children in tow. DHS and ICE say they focus on lawful enforcement and officer safety.
People detained during the week were taken into custody both inside the courthouse and outside the buildings, sometimes immediately following hearings. Detainees and families reported being moved among agencies with limited notice, raising alarms over transparency. Ernest Guerrero, a parent of one detainee, voiced fear about unannounced transfers and the possibility of out-of-state moves without family notification.
Legal cases stemming from the protests will extend into the fall. Court dates tied to the August arrests, including Guerrero’s case, are scheduled for September 2025 and beyond. Outcomes could influence future protest policing and the handling of U.S. citizens arrested by immigration authorities in San Francisco.
Key timeline and facts
- August 20, 2025: Confrontation at 100 Montgomery St. and 630 Sansome St.; officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, and batons; at least two arrests confirmed.
- August 21–22, 2025: Angie Guerrero detained for 24 hours, released, and now faces two misdemeanors.
- August 23, 2025: Fox News reports a mob incident with threats against ICE agents near the courthouse.
- 2025 year-to-date: ICE arrests in Northern California up 123% compared with the last seven months of President Biden’s term.
Local impact and practical advice
San Francisco’s sanctuary policies and long-running criticism of immigration enforcement have made the city a focal point for national debates. Activists say federal agents should not conduct operations in or around court settings where immigrants seek justice and services. Federal officials counter that active resistance and threats against officers necessitate a stronger response.
The competing claims highlight how a national enforcement drive collides with local expectations of civil liberties. Civil rights groups argue the use of rubber bullets and pepper spray near populated sidewalks risks injury to people not involved in confrontations, including journalists. Federal agencies say that when officers are surrounded or attacked, less-lethal tools are used to prevent worse harm.
The protests have also affected daily life around the Financial District. Business owners near the Immigration courthouse and ICE field office described street closures and crowds that complicated deliveries and office access. Some immigration hearings were reportedly delayed, complicating schedules for asylum seekers and families already working through complex cases.
From a practical standpoint, advocates recommend:
- Keep copies of court notices, bond receipts, and attorney contact details on hand at hearings.
- Establish a communication plan for family members in case a loved one is detained after a court appearance.
- If a U.S. citizen is questioned by federal agents at a protest:
- Ask if you are free to leave.
- If detained, request a lawyer immediately.
Union members from SEIU 1021 have continued to rally for those arrested, calling for oversight and public accounting of force used by federal agents. DHS and ICE say they welcome peaceful protest but will respond to threats against officers and to acts that block lawful work.
Media coverage and next steps
Media attention remains intense. El Tecolote and KQED have compiled on-the-ground footage and interviews with protesters and legal observers. SFist has tracked case timelines, including upcoming September appearances. Fox News has highlighted threats made against agents and broader concerns about officer safety.
As San Francisco braces for more demonstrations, both sides say they want safety but continue to disagree on what that looks like on the ground. Federal enforcement in sanctuary cities, the right to protest, and the limits of force will likely define the next chapter.
Important: Legal cases and hearings tied to these incidents are ongoing and scheduled into the fall. Outcomes may affect future protest policing and the treatment of U.S. citizens detained in protest settings.
Official updates can be found at the Department of Homeland Security’s website: https://www.dhs.gov/.
This Article in a Nutshell
August 20, 2025 clashes outside San Francisco’s immigration courthouse saw officers use pepper spray, rubber bullets and batons; multiple arrests followed. Angie Guerrero’s detention and at least three U.S. citizens’ arrests raised due-process and jurisdiction concerns amid a 123% surge in regional ICE arrests in 2025.
