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Sandra: Asylum seeker detained at San Francisco ICE check-in, separated from husband

Sandra, an asylum seeker who crossed the Darien Gap to reunite with her husband Roberto and married him in early 2025, was arrested at a routine ICE check-in in San Francisco. She remains detained awaiting her first court date.

Jul 11, 2025San Francisco, CA

Sandra: Asylum seeker detained at San Francisco ICE check-in, separated from husband
Photo via El Tecolote

Sandra, an asylum seeker from South America, was arrested by ICE during a routine check-in appointment at the agency's San Francisco field office on July 11, 2025, and has been held in a detention center awaiting updates on her pending asylum case. She met her husband Roberto online in 2017 and undertook a months-long journey through Central America and the Darien Gap to reunite with him in San Francisco, where they married in early 2025. Sandra was taking English classes at City College and the couple was planning to start a family when she was detained. Roberto, who recently obtained legal status and received a promotion at work, was present during the appointment. Sandra continues to wait for her first court date, with her attorney fighting for her pending asylum application while she remains in detention.

Timeline

Jul 11, 2025—Sandra arrested by ICE during routine check-in appointment at San Francisco field office; Roberto present during appointment
Jul 11, 2025—Sandra held in detention center; asylum case pending first court date
2025—Sandra traveled months through Central America and the Darien Gap to reach San Francisco; Sandra and Roberto married
2017—Sandra met Roberto online
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