Immigration courts closed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Concord, Chicago

Immigration courts in at least three California cities and Chicago were closed Tuesday, according to postings on their websites, which gave no explanations or information about when they might reopen.

The most likely reason, however, was mass protests surrounding the buildings in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Concord, with heavy presence by members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Alex Mensing, communications manager at the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice who had attorneys observing matters at both San Francisco and Concord immigration courts today said, "As community support started to arrive to protest the arrests being made by ICE agents at San Francisco and Concord, that's when the courts got shut down."

The courts' phones went unanswered, and emailed questions to Immigration Court and Department of Justice officials produced no response.

San Francisco Public Defender's Office Immigration Manager Francisco Ugarte said the main way immigration attorneys find out about court closures is through the American Immigration Lawyers Association, not the courts.

There was no specific reason given for the courts' closure in San Francisco or Concord in email correspondence from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, but they do mention the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers making arrests outside San Francisco and Concord immigration courts.

"There are few things more antithetical to democracy than using police power in courts," Ugarte said. "We're going to ensure that everyone has access to counsel. We've been through hard times before. We ask that people don't panic. We will meet the moment."

The main immigration courthouse on North Los Angeles Street was closed Monday and remained shut down Tuesday. Two other immigration courts in Los Angeles were still open Tuesday, on Van Nuys Boulevard and in West Los Angeles. The main Los Angeles court's web post said, "Alternate filings at Van Nuys."

In Northern California, the posting for the Concord site said, "Alternate filing location at the Sacramento Immigration Court. Internet-based hearings will proceed for IJ Stender." the posting for both of San Francisco's courts said, "Alternate filings at Sacramento. Internet-based hearings will proceed for IJ Park."

Chicago's post said, "Alternate filings at Indianapolis." It also noted a Chicago Immigration Court Satellite Location elsewhere in the city.

Unions from across the country have been protesting since Friday when David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Los Angeles and charged with conspiring to impede an officer. He was released Monday on a $50,000 bond.

Videos of his arrest show him standing between an ICE vehicle and an officer at the entrance to the ICE detention facility. Shortly thereafter he was grabbed and taken to the ground.

He was treated for injuries. Union officials said Huerta was merely observing the ICE activities.