In recent weeks, routine check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have taken a dramatic—and for many, alarming—turn across the United States. Immigrants who appeared for standard appointments at federal buildings have found themselves unexpectedly detained, sometimes for days, as ICE intensifies its efforts to meet arrest quotas reportedly pushed by senior Trump administration officials. The result? A surge in arrests, mounting public outcry, and a host of questions about transparency, oversight, and the future of immigration enforcement.
According to Latin Times, this practice has been particularly visible in San Diego, where approximately 200 immigrants who arrived for annual ICE check-ins were detained and held in the basement of the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego as of October 26, 2025. Attorneys representing several detainees told Border Report that their clients received official letters requesting their presence, only to be taken into custody upon arrival. The reason for holding them in the courthouse basement? There was no space available at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, the usual facility for such detentions.
The conditions described by lawyers and advocates have sparked widespread concern. One attorney, who spoke to Border Report on condition of anonymity, described rooms with extreme temperatures, shared bathrooms lacking privacy, and a troubling absence of medical care or edible food. Families, meanwhile, have struggled to obtain information about their loved ones, with some detainees not even appearing in ICE’s official locator database. The lack of transparency has only fueled anxiety and frustration among those impacted.
San Diego-area Congressmen Juan Vargas and Scott Peters took their concerns public in a press conference outside the courthouse on October 20, 2025. "We've had reports to our office that a number of people have been detained and held in the basement of the building far beyond any of the standards that are humane and legally necessary," Vargas stated, according to Latin Times. He added, "Normally, when you go to a facility you can ask, 'How many people have you detained? What are their ages? Are there family members?' They wouldn't give us any information whatsoever. We did ask those questions."
Reports from NBC San Diego indicate that the spike in arrests began earlier in October, with at least 11 people detained initially and that number ballooning to 44 within just four days. Among those swept up were the parents of a U.S. Marine, who were first detained while visiting their pregnant daughter at Camp Pendleton. Though released on ankle monitors, they were instructed to check in with ICE a week later—only to be detained again upon arrival. Their story, covered by NBC San Diego, has struck a nerve with many who see it as emblematic of the current system’s unpredictability and harshness.
For its part, ICE has maintained that the federal courthouse is a "well-equipped processing facility where all detainees are provided access to meals, water, snacks, telephones and the ability to contact their consulate or legal representation." In a statement reported by Latin Times, ICE emphasized that "Individuals are held in this processing area for the minimum amount of time necessary to complete processing and determine the most appropriate housing location based on their specific needs. Key factors such as medical requirements, removability status and available bed space are carefully considered to ensure the best possible placement."
Yet, these assurances have done little to quiet critics, especially as similar stories surface from other parts of the country. The Miami Herald recently highlighted the concerns of former Acting ICE Director John Sandweg, who warned that the agency’s rapid expansion could be undermining oversight and training. Sandweg, speaking on or about October 26-27, 2025, cautioned, “But the concern here would be, to the extent to which the administration wants to get these people deployed quickly, do they cut corners? I worry that if you start cutting corners on standards or background checks or training, that it’s only a recipe for problems down the line.”
Sandweg further criticized the agency’s current approach, which he described as prioritizing large-scale raids and arrest numbers over targeting high-risk offenders and conducting precise investigations. "All of this is unprecedented," he said, noting that such strategies could lead to greater problems for both the agency and the communities it polices. He also referenced reported injuries from aggressive ICE tactics in cities like Chicago and New York, and pointed out that a federal court had temporarily barred ICE from using force against journalists at protests.
“I hate that the agents are wearing the masks,” Sandweg remarked, expressing discomfort with the lack of transparency and the sense of intimidation such tactics can foster. He continued, “They know they can make a large number of arrests there, and they don’t seem to care whether or not those people pose a threat to public safety.” According to Sandweg, the Department of Homeland Security is recruiting thousands to meet enforcement targets, but the rush could result in shortened training and lower standards. The agency’s high visibility, he argued, has made it a political lightning rod. “I think that if people were asked to define what the Trump administration stands for, immigration enforcement would be top one or two. ICE has become the symbol of the administration, and that’s what makes it an attractive target for people.”
The politicization of immigration enforcement, Sandweg said, is hurting the agency’s reputation and feeding negative narratives. The former ICE chief called for comprehensive immigration reform and a return to focusing on the "absolute worst first"—a strategy that targets the most dangerous offenders rather than casting a wide net. “Unfortunately, I just don’t see a scenario where these continued, very aggressive, mass deportation efforts don’t remain incredibly contentious,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of ICE’s enforcement tactics are being felt at the local level. In Genesee County, Michigan, Metro Police Authority Chief Matt Bade announced on October 22, 2025, that he would rescind his department’s cooperation agreement with ICE, citing staffing issues. Bade’s decision, reported by MLive-The Flint Journal, came just hours after he informed his department’s oversight board. While the move was prompted by practical concerns, it also reflects the growing unease among local law enforcement about the role of ICE in their communities and the potential strain such partnerships can place on resources and public trust.
As debates over immigration enforcement intensify, the reality on the ground remains fraught for those caught in the system—whether they’re immigrants facing indefinite detention, families searching for answers, or public officials grappling with the implications of federal policy. The current moment is marked by uncertainty, urgency, and a deepening divide over how best to balance security, compassion, and the rule of law.
With calls for reform growing louder and stories of hardship mounting, the nation’s approach to immigration enforcement stands at a crossroads. The choices made in the coming months will shape not only the lives of those directly affected, but also the broader character of American justice and democracy.
