Over 100 Federal Immigration Agents Deployed to Bay Area Under Trump Order

More than 100 federal immigration agents are being deployed to the San Francisco Bay Area under orders from President Trump, arriving as early as Thursday. The agents, primarily from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are reportedly being stationed at the U.S. Coast Guard base in Alameda, setting the stage for a significant immigration enforcement operation in the region. This development follows weeks of threats from the Trump administration to target the Democratic-run city, which is a designated sanctuary city.

The deployment has drawn immediate and strong condemnation from California leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move, stating it is “right out of the dictator’s handbook” and suggesting it is a tactic to create fear and justify further federal intervention. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie echoed these concerns, asserting that the city is prepared and has been anticipating such a federal action for months.

Mayor Lurie signed an executive order to bolster city support for immigrant communities and coordinate departmental responses ahead of any federal operations. He emphasized that the city's local law enforcement would not participate in federal civil immigration enforcement. Alameda Assemblymember Mia Bonta denounced the arrival of federal agents in her district as “authoritarian theatrics,” expressing concern that the city was being used as a staging ground to inflict fear.

This operation mirrors similar federal deployments in other major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles, which have often led to protests and legal challenges. Local officials and immigrant advocacy groups in the Bay Area are mobilizing, providing "know your rights" information to residents and preparing for potential legal action. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area advised residents on their rights when encountering immigration agents.