Mam-speaking man arrested outside San Francisco immigration courtroom moments after judge noted mental competency issues
July 2025·Location: San Francisco, CA
Country of origin: Guatemala

A man fluent only in Mam, a Mayan language, muttered to himself and could not answer basic questions, including his home address, during his hearing before Immigration Judge Patrick O'Brien in San Francisco. O'Brien denied a Department of Homeland Security attorney's request to dismiss the case, which could have led to expedited removal, and instead granted a continuance so the man could find a lawyer. Within minutes of leaving the courtroom, he was arrested by ICE agents. His arrest was one of at least three that morning and part of more than 30 arrests by ICE at or near San Francisco's immigration court in recent weeks, including cases where judges had not approved dismissal or removal.
Sources
More incidents in California
- Teen with disabilities handcuffed outside LA school, mistaken for gang member by ICEOct 8, 2026 · Los Angeles, CA
- Nearly 15,000 deported after ICE arrest surge in Los Angeles, study findsOct 8, 2026 · Los Angeles, CA
- Longtime Fresno resident detained by ICE while driving to work, daughter saysOct 7, 2026 · Fresno, CA
- Van of Central Valley farm workers detained by ICE in CaliforniaOct 6, 2026 · Central Valley, CA
- Whistleblower says Trump ordered FBI to investigate LA anti-ICE protestersOct 6, 2026 · Los Angeles, CA
- ICE detains multiple residents in Fresno's West Park communityOct 6, 2026 · Fresno, CA