Word of arrests started coming in Wednesday, when a 22-year-old man from Venezuela was arrested as he exited the courtroom where his case had been dismissed by a judge, said his attorney, Michael Hirman. The man was only identified as José due to safety concerns.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carried out a raid at the San Diego federal courthouse on Thursday, targeting immigrants who were attending hearings tied to their asylum claims.

Agents, some in plainclothes, surrounded immigrants in narrow hallways as they exited courtrooms. Lawyers and advocates say the tactic, which ICE has used in other cities across the country, is aggressive and unnecessary.