(KRON) -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained three immigrants from Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador in the Bay Area within the past week, ICE officials confirmed to KRON4.
The detentions and arrests happened during an uptick in federal immigration enforcement actions in California. Immigration advocates and political leaders accused agents of using excessive force and cruel tactics while carrying out enforcement.
Agents arrested Eduardo Antonio Ruiz-Garcia, an "illegal alien" from Honduras, in Emeryville on October 16, ICE officials said. Ruiz-Garcia had illegally entered the U.S. through Tijuana, Mexico, officials said. "During the arrest, he attempted to assault officers and refused their lawful commands," an ICE spokesperson wrote.
The spokesperson said authorities took Ruiz-Garcia to a hospital for medical care, and he had a "preexisting injury from falling from a ladder two days prior."
On October 17, ICE arrested Edgar Fernando Guerrero Romo of Mexico in Oakland. According to ICE, his criminal history includes arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license.
During his arrest in Oakland, "Guerrero Romo repeatedly resisted ICE officers and disobeyed their lawful commands," the ICE spokesperson wrote.
On Tuesday, an immigration judge released Guerrero Romo from custody pending the outcome of removal proceedings.
After the two men were nabbed by agents in the East Bay, state senator Jesse Arreguin wrote that he was concerned about "ICE using excessive force here in the East Bay ... the latest example of the cowardice of the Trump Admin, using fear and intimidation to terrorize our communities."
Advocates with Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership said agents used "brutal use of force" during recent arrests. "Federal agents appear to have used excessive force in two arrests, one in Emeryville and one near San Antonio Park in Oakland. Both people were injured and needed hospital care," ACILEP wrote.
ICE officials told KRON4, "Officers are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations. Anybody who lays a hand on our officers or tries to obstruct them is committing a felony and a federal crime."
ICE agents are seen arresting a man wearing a suit in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026.
Across the Bay, ICE arrested Milton Ramos-Rodriguez, 51, of El Salvador, on Oct. 19 in San Francisco. Wearing a suit and tie, Ramos-Rodriguez was apparently on his way to work when agents chased and cornered him in the South of Market neighborhood.
Witnesses captured the San Francisco arrest on camera, sparking outrage and an anti-ICE rally at City Hall.
Ramos-Rodriguez had been previously deported from the U.S., he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in California, and allegedly had affiliations with a Sureño gang, according to ICE.
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey said, "I am outraged by the video. ICE has no place terrorizing our communities, and the tactics we witnessed this morning are unacceptable."
An anti-ICE rally is held at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 20, 2026. (KRON4 Photo)
In San Jose on Tuesday, agents were caught on camera wrestling another person on the ground during a detainment just outside the county jail on West Hedding Street.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan told KRON4, "I find it really disturbing that we are seeing a ramp-up in enforcement, right as people begin voting. The timing is very suspicious and concerning."
On Wednesday, the ICE spokesperson doubled-down on messages from President Donald Trump's administration demanding that undocumented immigrants "self-deport" or face arrest.
ICE wrote in a statement, "We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return."
