California Democrats criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday (local time) after a widely circulated video showed federal agents detaining two individuals at San Francisco International Airport, including a woman who appeared visibly distressed.
According to a Fox News report, the viral footage shows the woman screaming and falling to the ground as two officers take her into custody, while her daughter can be heard crying nearby. The incident took place on March 22. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later said the woman was in the US without legal status.
California Democrats rap ICE, DHS
Democrats in California reacted strongly, saying the video suggested excessive use of force. They argued that such incidents could fuel fear among immigrant communities and demanded accountability and clarity from federal authorities.
Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui described the woman as a Sacramento mother and said she was outraged by the visuals. In a post on X, she noted that the incident involved a member of the local community and stressed the need for answers about the circumstances of the detention.
Matsui also took aim at US President Donald Trump and his administration, saying the footage reflected what she described as a pattern of tough enforcement practices. She added that beyond the immediate incident, such actions risk causing long-term emotional harm to those who witness them.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also responded, calling the situation worrisome. He clarified that there was no evidence to suggest a wider immigration operation at the airport. He added that San Francisco Police Department personnel were only present to maintain order and were not involved in making arrests.
The mayor further reiterated that the city’s long-term tabernacle policy remains unchanged. He emphasized that local law enforcement does not assist federal civilian immigration enforcement and said that approach will continue under his leadership.
DHS Responds to Airport Arrests
DHS confirmed Monday that two members of the same family were taken into custody. The department said both individuals had existing removal orders and were in the country illegally.
The agency said the arrests occurred on March 22, 2026 and were not related to any recent plans to increase ICE’s presence at airports to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations. In a post on X, she identified the individuals as Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez, saying an immigration judge had issued final orders of removal against them in 2019.
Providing more details, DHS said that during the process of escorting the two women to the international terminal for another event, Lopez-Jimenez attempted to flee and resisted officers. Authorities said law enforcement officers were responding to the situation.
The ministry added that efforts are underway to deport the family to their home country of Guatemala as quickly as possible.
