Families in San Diego say they are facing one of the most confusing and frightening moments in recent immigration history. ICE detained several foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens — including the spouse of a Navy veteran — during their marriage-based green-card interviews. Families usually view these interviews as the final step toward becoming a lawful permanent resident, but instead, many experienced panic and heartbreak.
A Sudden Wave of Arrests Leaves Families in Shock
According to witnesses and attorneys, multiple couples said that just before their final green-card interview ended, ICE agents entered the USCIS office, handcuffed the applicant, and led them away. Some spouses were reportedly holding newborn babies. Others were long-time residents who had passed background checks and submitted every required document for the green-card process.
One of the most emotional cases involved Navy veteran Samuel Shasteen, who watched officers arrest his wife moments before her green-card interview concluded. “I feel betrayed,” he said, adding that he believed his military service would help ensure safety and stability for his family.
Immigration lawyers say San Diego has become the “epicenter” of what they call a dramatic and sudden shift in enforcement. Many now describe these arrests as a “new normal” for families applying for green-card approval through marriage — a change they say is causing fear across immigrant communities.
Green-Card Law Explained and Why These Arrests Raise Concerns
Under U.S. immigration law, a foreign-born spouse who enters the United States legally — even on a tourist or business visa — can generally apply for a marriage-based green-card. Even if their visa expires while they wait for the slow immigration system to process their case, the law still allows them to file for “adjustment of status” as long as their marriage is real.
This is why many families view the arrests as unfair and confusing.
Attorneys and family members report that the detained spouses have no criminal records. They also say that most applicants already completed background checks as part of the green-card process. Yet ICE cites “visa overstay” as the reason for detaining them — a situation that lawyers say usually comes up during the green-card review, not through sudden arrests at a USCIS appointment.
ICE says it is committed to enforcing immigration laws, although the agency has not directly explained why its agents detain applicants during required government appointments. Immigrant-rights groups argue that these actions break years of practice in which USCIS interview locations served as safe and neutral spaces.
Advocates believe these arrests send a painful message: even marriage to a U.S. citizen or being part of a military family does not guarantee security during the green-card process. They say the actions ignore humanitarian concerns, especially for applicants with U.S.-citizen children, newborns, and long-established roots in the country.
Immigration attorneys say the wave of arrests damages trust between communities and federal agencies. They warn that families who are trying to follow every legal rule may now fear attending their own green-card interview.
Lawsuits Filed After Sudden San Diego Arrests at Green-Card Appointments
As the number of detentions grows, plaintiffs have filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. According to AP reports, the lawsuit challenges ICE’s practice of detaining immigrants during routine appointments such as check-ins, hearings, and green-card interviews.
The lawsuit argues that ICE detains people who were previously cleared for release — people who have no new criminal issues, no missed court dates, and no warnings. Lawyers say this practice violates constitutional due-process rights, which guarantee fair and reasonable treatment by the government.
The lawsuit names petitioners who followed all immigration laws, attended every appointment, and kept clean records. Despite this, ICE agents took them into custody during ICE- or USCIS-scheduled appointments, including at green-card interviews.
Earlier in 2025, another lawsuit challenged ICE for courthouse arrests in San Diego involving asylum-seekers and other immigrants leaving their hearings. That legal action claims the arrests are “arbitrary” and create fear that may discourage immigrants from participating in the legal process — even when they are doing everything required.
Immigrant-rights groups and legal-aid organizations are now urging anyone with a scheduled USCIS green-card interview — especially in San Diego — to speak with an attorney beforehand. Many warn that the recent arrests are unpredictable and could affect people who have complied with all rules.
Local media reports say authorities are currently holding the detained spouses at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Families say they feel devastated, confused, and are desperately searching for answers. Many say they only want the chance to complete the green-card process, stay together, and continue their lives peacefully, but instead, they face unexpected separation and uncertainty.
