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Mam-speaking man arrested outside San Francisco immigration courtroom moments after judge noted mental competency issues

July 2025·Location: San Francisco, CA

Country of origin: Guatemala

Mam-speaking man arrested outside San Francisco immigration courtroom moments after judge noted mental competency issues
Photo via ACLU

A man fluent only in Mam, a Mayan language, muttered to himself and could not answer basic questions, including his home address, during his hearing before Immigration Judge Patrick O'Brien in San Francisco. O'Brien denied a Department of Homeland Security attorney's request to dismiss the case, which could have led to expedited removal, and instead granted a continuance so the man could find a lawyer. Within minutes of leaving the courtroom, he was arrested by ICE agents. His arrest was one of at least three that morning and part of more than 30 arrests by ICE at or near San Francisco's immigration court in recent weeks, including cases where judges had not approved dismissal or removal.

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