ICE agents are now conducting unprecedented arrests during green card interviews, turning what was once considered a safe legal process into a trap for law-abiding immigrants seeking permanent residency.
Story Snapshot
- Masked ICE agents detained multiple migrants during scheduled green card interviews at San Diego USCIS offices in November 2025
- Detainees included a Navy sailor’s wife and individuals with no criminal history who were following legal immigration procedures
- Immigration attorneys describe the tactic as “unprecedented” and warn it undermines the integrity of legal immigration pathways
- ICE confirms enforcement actions at federal sites, stating individuals unlawfully present may face arrest regardless of location
Unprecedented Enforcement During Legal Proceedings
Between November 19-22, 2025, ICE agents conducted multiple arrests at San Diego’s USCIS office during scheduled green card interviews. Immigration attorneys report clients were detained by masked agents while attending interviews critical for obtaining lawful permanent residency.
The tactic represents a dramatic shift from historical practice, where green card interviews were considered safe spaces for immigrants following legal procedures to adjust their status.
Military Families and Law-Abiding Immigrants Targeted
Among those detained was a Navy sailor’s wife and a 22-year-old Syrian woman, highlighting how enforcement actions affected individuals with strong community ties and no criminal records.
These cases demonstrate the broad scope of ICE’s new approach, targeting immigrants actively seeking legal status through proper channels. The arrests have particularly alarmed military families who believed their service connection would provide protection during legal immigration processes.
Legal Community Sounds Alarm on Due Process
Immigration attorneys describe the enforcement strategy as “unprecedented” and “terrifying,” warning it undermines fundamental due process protections. Legal experts argue the tactic creates a chilling effect that could deter immigrants from engaging with legal processes, potentially increasing undocumented populations.
The practice raises serious concerns about the integrity of immigration pathways designed to facilitate lawful status adjustments for eligible individuals.
ICE Defends Enforcement Authority at Federal Sites
ICE issued statements confirming enforcement actions at federal sites, including USCIS offices, declaring that individuals unlawfully present may face arrest regardless of location. The agency maintains it is enforcing existing immigration law and prioritizing national security and public safety.
However, ICE has not disclosed the total number of arrests or provided detailed criteria for targeting individuals during green card interviews, leaving families and attorneys with limited information about enforcement priorities.
The San Diego arrests represent a significant escalation in immigration enforcement that threatens to undermine legal immigration processes. While ICE has authority to enforce immigration law, targeting individuals actively seeking legal status through proper channels creates dangerous precedent that could discourage compliance with immigration procedures and weaken the rule of law.
Sources:
Congressional document on immigration enforcement
