A chaotic confrontation erupted outside the San Francisco Immigration Court on Tuesday, marking the latest in a growing trend of violent clashes between federal immigration officers and protesters. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), assaults on agents have risen nearly 700% compared to last year — a staggering increase the agency says is driven by increasingly organized and hostile resistance.
Old left-winger tried to stop military vehicles after an ICE raid at a farm in California.
The ending is absolutely PRICELESS! 🔥😎🔥 pic.twitter.com/JrftjN3H64
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) July 10, 2025
ICE released video footage of the incident on social media platform X, showing masked protesters aggressively engaging with agents. The demonstrators, many wearing keffiyeh scarves — a symbol frequently associated with pro-Palestinian activism — can be seen lunging at officers, climbing onto a black ICE SUV, and shouting slogans while agents wield batons in an attempt to restore order.
“Get back, get back,” ICE agents are heard yelling.
Protesters respond with chants of “Shame on you,” as screams fill the air.
At one point, a protester attempts to force open the vehicle, while others physically obstruct the officers trying to secure the area. ICE confirmed that the group tried to prevent a detained migrant from being placed into the transport vehicle. The individual’s identity and legal status remain undisclosed.
In a firm response, ICE stated:
“This behavior is NOT protesting. It’s assaulting federal employees while they’re on duty. It’s impeding federal officers. It’s ILLEGAL. It’s DANGEROUS. And it will NOT stop us from enforcing immigration law.”
An agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the incident amounted to a violent attack on officers lawfully carrying out their duties.
“These violent individuals have zero respect for the rule of law and casually violate it. This type of vile behavior has led to a 700% increase in assaults against ICE officers,” the spokesperson said. “Just last week, a coordinated attack at an ICE facility led to an officer being shot.”
The spokesperson emphasized that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has made clear that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated, and that those involved will be held accountable.
The clash comes amid heightened political debate over ICE enforcement practices, particularly the use of plainclothes agents and unmarked vehicles during arrests — tactics critics say contribute to public fear and lack of accountability.
Democratic Senators Alex Padilla (CA) and Cory Booker (NJ) recently introduced the VISIBLE Act, a bill that would require federal immigration officers to wear visible identification and comply with standardized enforcement procedures.
“The lack of visible identification and uniform standards… has created confusion, stoked fear and undermined public trust in law enforcement,” Booker said.
But ICE defenders argue that such restrictions would jeopardize operations and officer safety, especially in an environment where officers are facing unprecedented hostility.
With the Trump administration continuing to intensify immigration enforcement, including courthouse arrests, tensions are unlikely to ease soon. ICE maintains that it will carry out its lawful responsibilities “without fear or favor,” despite escalating opposition — and now, violence — from activist groups.
