ICE agents seen 'terrorizing' woman and child

ICE agents seen 'terrorizing' woman and child at SFO, Calif. senator says

The widely circulated footage has since caused furor online

By Ariana Bindman

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents caused outrage at the San Francisco International Airport on Sunday night after appearing to restrain a crying woman in front of her child, footage shows.

In one video posted on social media, a crowd of people hold up their phones while others shout at a row of San Francisco Police Department officers who appear to be standing guard and aiding the ICE agents as they conduct the enforcement. Behind them, two men in plainclothes can be seen dragging the woman into a blue wheelchair while she visibly struggles. Handcuffs appear to dangle from her wrist.

“Leave her alone,” one bystander yells.

“What the fuck are you doing?” a man shouts. 

In another widely circulated video captured from another angle, the two men in plainclothes restrain the woman on the ground as she wails and cries. A person in the crowd repeatedly demands to hear the agents’ badge numbers; in the background, a young girl with braided hair sobs.  

The Department of Homeland Security identified the woman and child as Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez of Guatemala in post on X on Monday afternoon.   

“We understand federal officers were transporting two individuals on an outbound flight when this incident occurred,” SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told SFGATE on Monday. “We believe this is an isolated incident and have no reason to suspect broader enforcement action at SFO.”

Yakel added that the airport was not involved or notified of the enforcement in advance.

“The airport’s role is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facility for all passengers and staff,” he said.

“Consistent with our City Charter, state law, and SFPD department policy, we do not assist in the enforcement of civil federal immigration laws,” SFPD’s media relations unit told SFGATE Monday.

“On Sunday, March 22, at approximately 10:00 p.m., SFPD officers responded to a 911 call at San Francisco International Airport. Officers arrived on scene and determined the incident involved federal immigration officials,” it said, adding that police officers were present to maintain public safety. 

California state Sen. Scott Wiener reposted the video on X, condemning the agency and demanding that ICE leave California. “ICE was at SFO airport last night, terrorizing a mother while her daughter watched,” he wrote. 

Toward the end of one of the videos, amid shouts and boos, the two men in plainclothes haul the woman off, while an officer escorts the young girl by her side. Crowd members beg them to stop.

“We’ll remember your faces,” one person says. About 10 officers surround the woman and child as they exit the gate, ignoring the heckling crowd behind them.

“This is the face of America,” one man shouts at them. “Congratulations.”