The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the arrest was lawful.<\/p>\n
SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 A Sacramento mother was detained by federal agents at San Francisco International Airport<\/a>, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, after a chaotic encounter captured on video\u00a0<\/a>raised questions about immigration enforcement practices.<\/p>\n Cell phone video from Sunday night inside the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport shows a woman crying as officers restrain her on the ground while a child stands nearby.<\/p>\n Matsui identified the woman as a Sacramento mother and called the video \u201cdeeply angering,\u201d writing in a statement<\/a>, \u201cThis video showcases the cruelty we have come to expect from Trump’s ICE agents.\u201d<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the arrest was lawful. In a\u00a0social media post<\/a>, the agency said two women, Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and Wendy Godinez-Lopez, were taken to the airport Sunday to be sent to Guatemala. Officials said both had final removal orders dating back to 2019 and that one of the women tried to flee and resisted officers.<\/p>\n State Senator Scott Wiener<\/a> said he is skeptical of that explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cI always take anything that this administration says with a huge grain of salt,\u201d said State Senator Wiener. \u201cMy understanding is that they brought her to the airport, to put her and her child on a plane for deportation.\u201d<\/p>\n Immigrant Crime and Justice<\/a> attorney Julian Sanchez-Mora, who is not connected to the case, said the incident raises broader concerns about how enforcement actions are carried out.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what we are seeing over and over again when it comes to ICE officers. Individuals in plain clothing, failing to identify themselves,” said Sanchez-Mora.<\/p>\n He said the situation is part of a pattern he has observed, including officers not clearly identifying themselves and limited communication with bystanders. Sanchez-Mora also described the force used as excessive, noting the woman appeared unarmed and did not present a visible threat.<\/p>\n \u201cit’s concerning to continue to see this over and over again,” said Sanchez-Mora.<\/p>\n The Department of Homeland Security said the woman had a final removal order issued in 2019, but Sanchez-Mora said there are still key legal questions, including whether she was aware of that order.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first question that comes to mind when I see that is, whether this individual was aware of the removal order. It’s not uncommon to see individuals who have removal orders, they never received any type of notice,” said Sanchez-Mora.<\/p>\n He said in some cases, known as \u201cin absentia\u201d orders, individuals may miss court hearings without knowing and later face deportation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe judge enters this removal order against them and they never know about it. I am wondering if it could have been the case here. If that\u2019s the case, there could be a potentially way to try to reopen that case,” said Sanchez-Mora.<\/p>\n Sanchez-Mora said if a lack of notice is proven, there may be a legal path to reopen the case and challenge the removal order.<\/p>\n He also warned similar incidents could happen elsewhere.<\/p>\n \u201cI am concerned that we will see more of this in the other airports where ICE is actually present,” said Sanchez-Mora.<\/p>\n The mayor of San Francisco called the incident isolated, while Matsui said she is demanding answers about why the woman was treated violently in front of her daughter.<\/p>\n Full Statement<\/a> from Congresswoman Matsui:\u00a0<\/p>\n “I am deeply angered by the video released of a Sacramento mother being forcibly detained by ICE in front her young daughter at San Francisco International Airport this weekend. This is our neighbor and a member of our community. This video showcases the cruelty we have come to expect from Trump’s ICE agents, but also the lasting trauma that will be inflicted on those who are forced to witness their disproportionate and deadly recklessness. I am demanding answers as to why ICE treated this Sacramentan so violently in front of her daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n