More than 40 faith leaders and immigrant rights activists were arrested outside of San Francisco’s immigration courthouse on Tuesday morning for blocking the entrances to the building. The organized demonstration called for an end to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and demanded due process for immigrants.
Demonstrators chained themselves to the building’s door, locked arms and sang hymns as the San Francisco Fire Department cut through chains and locks. Behind the glass doors, masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents watched as the arrests unfolded.
Top: Faith leaders and immigrant rights activists block the entrance to the immigration courthouse building, chained together, singing songs and locking arms. Middle left: Faith leaders and immigrant rights activists begin getting arrested for blocking the entrance to the immigration courthouse building. Middle right: Arrested demonstrators are ushered inside the immigration courthouse building. Bottom: Department of Homeland Security officers conduct arrests outside of the immigration courthouse. San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 16, 2025. Photos: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
One by one, demonstrators were handcuffed and escorted into the building. As reported by KQED, 43 people were arrested by ICE and Federal Protective Service officers.
“The needle has not moved at all on immigrant issues, it’s much worse,” said Susan Chamberlain, 82, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto, who said two of the church’s faith leaders were arrested. “The protests and marches haven’t done anything at all. It’s time for civil disobedience — it’s time to ramp it up.”
For Chamberlain, the action was intended to disrupt potential detentions during immigration court check-ins. It also reminded her of her upbringing during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. “I’ve seen it my whole life,” Chamberlain said. “I think [what we are seeing] today is pretty similar. I felt very moved by all the music.”
By 10:30 a.m., entrances to the building had been cleared of protestors. About 50 people later lined up outside the immigration courthouse at 630 Sansome St. for scheduled check-ins. A Department of Homeland Security officer eventually informed the group that the office would remain closed for the day.
Immigration attorneys on site then provided guidance to those with appointments.
“For anyone going into the building, this is not a building that’s the most welcoming,” said Jazmin Preciado, an immigration attorney who advised immigrants to photograph themselves outside the building as proof they attended their check-ins. “As a practitioner, what’s been really helpful for me is knowing all the litigation that’s been taking place, all the resistance that’s been coming from the community.”
Despite advocates knowing the risk of arrest, advocates said that the demonstration was intended to draw attention inside immigration courthouse this year.
“I’m stressed and concerned that we are at a place where there’s supposed to be justices and there’s nothing but injustices happening [in the building],” said Melissa Brooks, 64, also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Palo Alto. “I’m glad we took action, and to see that my neighbors feel the same.”
