A significant confrontation unfolded outside the San Francisco Immigration Court this week, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents faced off against a group of masked protesters. The incident, captured on video by ICE, highlights the escalating tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement activities. The clash occurred on Tuesday and is part of a growing trend of confrontations involving federal immigration officers.

According to ICE, assaults on their agents have surged by nearly 700% compared to the previous year. The agency released footage on social media platform X, showing masked individuals engaging in a scuffle with ICE agents who were equipped with batons. Throughout the video, agents can be heard repeatedly instructing protesters to “get back,” while demonstrators shouted “shame on you” amid the chaotic scene.

At one point during the confrontation, some protesters attempted to access a black ICE SUV parked outside the courthouse. A protester lunged at officers as they pushed back, and several individuals climbed onto the vehicle’s hood. ICE condemned these actions in a statement, emphasizing that such behavior constitutes an assault on federal employees and impedes their duties. The agency stressed that these actions are illegal and dangerous, asserting that they will not deter enforcement of immigration laws.

Many protesters were seen wearing keffiyeh scarves, often associated with pro-Palestinian activism. The group reportedly aimed to prevent ICE from placing a detained migrant into the van, although details about the individual’s identity and legal status remain undisclosed. Local reports suggest that the protest was in response to the detainment of a specific migrant, but further details have not been made public.

An ICE spokesperson described the protesters as rioters who violently attacked and obstructed federal law enforcement officers performing their duties. They criticized the lack of respect for the rule of law exhibited by these individuals and noted that such behavior has led to a significant increase in assaults against ICE officers. The spokesperson also referenced a recent coordinated attack at an ICE facility that resulted in an officer being shot.

The incident comes amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has faced opposition from individuals and groups critical of ICE operations, particularly those involving detentions at immigration courthouses. Demonstrators have called for an end to practices such as plainclothes operations and unmarked vehicles, arguing that these contribute to fear and lack of accountability.

In response to these concerns, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act. This legislation seeks to prohibit immigration officers from concealing their identities during enforcement activities. Senator Booker emphasized that reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers have increased risks to public and officer safety, underscoring the need for visible identification standards to restore public trust in law enforcement.