San Diego’s congressional delegation is raising alarms over reports that federal immigration agents have arrested individuals during their green card interviews, prompting questions about transparency, due process, and the integrity of the legal immigration system. Inquiries from local members of Congress to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) follow a series of high-profile incidents in which undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens were detained at appointments meant to advance their path to lawful permanent residency. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics in Southern California and reignited debate over how federal authorities should balance immigration control with the protections promised to those seeking legal status.
San Diego lawmakers challenge ICE tactics at green card interviews
Local members of Congress are pressing federal authorities for answers after reports that immigrants pursuing lawful permanent residency were detained during routine appointments. Lawmakers argue that the arrests, carried out when applicants arrived for scheduled interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, may undermine public trust in a process designed to encourage people to come forward, comply with the law, and formalize their status. Advocates say the practice blurs the line between administrative immigration procedures and enforcement operations, prompting calls for clearer rules, stronger oversight, and a public accounting of how and when enforcement officers are notified of interviewees’ prior removal orders or criminal histories.
In letters and public statements, the San Diego delegation is demanding data on how often these arrests occur and what criteria trigger them, warning that families could be torn apart in the very offices where they hoped to secure stability. Their concerns focus on key issues including:
- Transparency over coordination between USCIS and enforcement agents
- Consistency in how old deportation orders and past offenses are evaluated
- Due process protections for applicants detained on-site
- Community impact on mixed-status families and local economies
| Key Concern | What Lawmakers Want |
|---|---|
| Arrests at interviews | Clear written guidelines and limits |
| Information sharing | Disclosure of when and why alerts are sent |
| Public confidence | Assurance that lawful applicants are not targeted |
Immigrant families describe fear and confusion over unexpected arrests
Families who arrived at local federal buildings expecting routine paperwork now recount scenes more reminiscent of a sudden raid than a scheduled appointment. Spouses and children describe watching loved ones led away in handcuffs from what they believed was a critical step toward legal residency, with little or no explanation provided in the moment. Several immigrants say they brought carefully prepared folders of marriage certificates, tax returns and baby photos, only to leave behind personal belongings and young children in tears as agents moved swiftly to detain applicants. Advocates report that many did not understand why the arrests were happening, or what rights they had as the situation unfolded.
Community groups and immigration attorneys say the emotional fallout has been immediate and far-reaching. Some families are now canceling or postponing legitimate appointments out of fear that any contact with federal offices could lead to detention or deportation. Parents describe sleepless nights and sudden changes to daily routines as they try to shield children from the anxiety of possibly losing a caregiver. In interviews, relatives and support organizations highlight themes of:
- Fear: Worries that future interviews may result in similar arrests.
- Confusion: Uncertainty over the legal basis and lack of clear communication.
- Mistrust: Eroding confidence in immigration processes previously viewed as routine.
| Family Concern | Immediate Impact |
|---|---|
| Child anxiety | Nightmares, school absences |
| Lost income | Primary earner detained |
| Legal uncertainty | Rushed searches for attorneys |
Legal experts scrutinize due process concerns and possible policy violations
Immigration attorneys and constitutional scholars are warning that the arrests inside USCIS offices may blur the line between routine administrative processing and targeted enforcement, raising alarms over due process and the integrity of family-based immigration procedures. They argue that couples who appear for green card interviews under the assumption of a good-faith adjudication process may instead find themselves in a custodial setting, without clear notice that information shared in a benefits context could be immediately used for detention or removal. Several legal experts note that such practices can create a “chilling effect,” discouraging eligible applicants from seeking lawful status and undermining public trust in both immigration agencies and the broader legal system.
Advocates also question whether the tactics comply with existing DHS and ICE guidance, which traditionally designates certain locations-such as schools, hospitals and places of worship-as sensitive areas where enforcement actions are limited. While USCIS offices are not formally on that list, policy specialists say the underlying principles of fairness, transparency and proportionality may still apply. In media interviews and legal filings, they have highlighted concerns including:
- Lack of clear notice to applicants that enforcement may occur during interviews.
- Potential conflicts between adjudication and enforcement functions within the same visit.
- Inconsistent application of internal enforcement priorities across field offices.
- Risk of family separation at the very moment families seek lawful permanence.
| Key Legal Issue | Expert Concern |
|---|---|
| Notice & Transparency | Applicants may not understand enforcement risks at interviews. |
| Procedural Fairness | Benefits process may double as a de facto enforcement trap. |
| Policy Consistency | Possible misalignment with stated DHS enforcement priorities. |
Advocates urge DHS reforms to protect applicants and restore trust in the system
Immigration attorneys, civil rights groups, and local faith leaders are calling on the Department of Homeland Security to implement sweeping safeguards that would prevent enforcement actions from ambushing families who believe they are following the rules. They argue that when applicants are detained at scheduled appointments, it blurs the line between a benefits process and a law-enforcement trap, undermining due process and deterring eligible residents from seeking lawful status. Advocates are pressing for clear, written guidance that bars arrests at routine interviews except in narrowly defined, high-risk cases and for greater congressional oversight of how those guidelines are enforced on the ground.
Proposed changes include stronger transparency measures, independent review of questionable arrests, and formal channels for applicants to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Community organizations say these steps are essential to rebuild confidence in a system that increasingly feels unpredictable. Among their key recommendations:
- Codify “safe zones” for USCIS offices where benefits, not enforcement, are the priority.
- Standardize interagency protocols between USCIS and ICE to limit surprise detentions.
- Publish regular data on enforcement actions at interviews, broken down by location.
- Strengthen notice requirements so applicants understand their rights and potential risks.
| Reform Area | Goal |
|---|---|
| Interview Protections | Prevent surprise arrests |
| Data Transparency | Expose patterns and abuses |
| Oversight & Review | Hold agencies accountable |
| Community Input | Rebuild public confidence |
To Conclude
As the debate unfolds, San Diego’s congressional delegation is pressing for clearer answers on how and why these arrests are taking place, and whether they align with stated federal enforcement priorities. For now, immigrant advocates, legal experts, and affected families are left to navigate a system they say has become more unpredictable inside an office once viewed as a gateway to stability.
With federal agencies defending their actions and local leaders demanding transparency, the clash over arrests at marriage-based green card interviews is likely to intensify. The outcome could shape not only how immigration laws are enforced in San Diego, but also how safe immigrant communities feel when they step into government buildings seeking a path to lawful residency.
