ICE Agents Conduct Arrest Inside San Francisco International Airport Terminal
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted an enforcement operation inside San Francisco International Airport Sunday night, arresting a woman in the secure area of Terminal 3.
The arrest took place in Boarding Area E, which primarily serves United Airlines flights, according to SFO spokesman Doug Yakel. The incident occurred around 10 p.m., based on reports and videos shared on social media.
It was not immediately clear why the woman was arrested, where she was headed, or why she was placed in handcuffs. Airport officials have not released additional identifying details about the individuals involved.
Videos Show Emotional Scene During ICE Arrest At SFO
Videos of the arrest were captured by multiple bystanders and later shared across social media platforms. The footage shows a woman being detained while traveling with a young girl, believed to be her daughter.
People nearby can be heard reacting to the situation. In one video, someone is heard shouting, “This is unAmerican,” while others questioned the actions of the agents.
In another video, the woman is seen crying on her knees. The person recording, identified by the TikTok handle @argw6, is heard asking for the ICE agent’s badge number. A young girl with braids is visible nearby, crying as the situation unfolds. One of the agents is also seen making a phone call during the incident.
Airport Officials Respond To ICE Arrest Incident
San Francisco International Airport spokesperson Doug Yakel provided limited details about the situation. In a statement shared via email, Yakel said:
“We understand federal officers were transporting two individuals on an outbound flight when this incident occurred,” Yakel wrote. “We believe this is an isolated incident and have no reason to suspect broader enforcement action at SFO.”
Officials did not clarify whether the young girl seen in the videos was one of the individuals being transported. Additional details regarding the circumstances of the arrest have not been publicly disclosed.
At this time, there is no indication of ongoing enforcement operations at the airport beyond this incident.
How ICE Conducts Removals Through Commercial Flights
According to official government information, ICE conducts removals using a combination of chartered flights, commercial airlines, and ground transportation. These removals can be either escorted or unescorted, depending on the case.
In some instances, individuals being deported are placed on commercial flights with ICE escorts.