SAN DIEGO (AP) — A week before Chancely Fanfan was set to attend an immigration court hearing in San Diego, he received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security prompting him for a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But upon arrival on October 20 with his wife and 11-month-old baby, Fanfan was arrested without explanation, according to his attorneys.
Fanfan, 31, who has no criminal history and has consistently attended all scheduled hearings and check-ins, is part of a broader legal challenge initiated by the Center for Immigration Law and Policy and the Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law. The lawsuit questions the legality of ICE's actions following check-ins for Fanfan and two other immigrants.
The petition asserts that the immigrants had been previously vetted and released, highlighting concerns over due process violations when individuals are arrested during administrative check-ins. The concern of increased ICE arrests at check-ins has become prominent, with reports indicating dozens of similar detentions in San Diego alone.
Among those affected is a gardener of over 30 years who, after being informed his immigration case was being reopened, reported to ICE only to find himself facing potential detention. Witnesses at the San Diego ICE office have reported alarming scenes, including individuals being led away in handcuffs after check-ins.
A federal judge is set to decide on the petition to release the detained individuals and whether ICE's check-in detentions are lawful.
