Overview
- Immigration attorneys in San Diego report at least three people were taken into custody during scheduled green‑card interviews this week.
- Attorney Tessa Cabrera says two ICE agents entered an interview room after a USCIS officer stepped out, handcuffed her client, and transferred him to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.
- Lawyers say other clients with expired visas were detained in similar fashion at the downtown USCIS office, and one detainee now faces a first immigration court hearing in early December.
- In a statement, USCIS said arrests at its facilities can occur when there are outstanding warrants, removal orders, or evidence of fraud or criminal activity.
- Separately, longtime lawful resident Donna Hughes‑Brown was arrested at Chicago O’Hare in July over past check‑fraud issues and remains in ICE custody, with a DHS official noting that some lawful permanent residents with certain convictions can be deemed inadmissible and held.