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NewsMission LocalOctober 31, 2026San Francisco County

San Francisco investigates ICE vehicle parking and alleged operations at city-owned garage

Photo: Mission Local

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have allegedly parked vehicles and staged enforcement operations out of the city-owned Golden Gateway Garage in San Francisco, prompting a city investigation into potential violations of local sanctuary laws. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency confirmed that federal parking assignments exist at the site through a subcontracting chain involving a private garage manager and the federal General Services Administration. City officials and the City Attorney’s Office are reviewing contractual agreements to ensure operations adhere to local ordinances.

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Why It Matters

The review could alter federal access to municipal property and test the enforcement boundaries of local sanctuary laws governing cooperation between city agencies and federal immigration authorities.

Key Facts

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been assigned parking spaces inside the city-owned Golden Gateway Garage at 250 Clay St. in San Francisco.
  • The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency stated it is investigating the arrangement with the City Attorney's Office to determine if local sanctuary laws were violated.
  • The city contracts garage management to a private firm, IMCO Parking, which subcontracts a portion of the lot to the federal General Services Administration.
  • Activist groups have reported that ICE agents have used the garage to stage operations and park vehicles for at least a year.
  • SFMTA spokesperson Parisa Safarzadeh confirmed the agency was aware of the subcontract with the federal government when signed, but noted the contract did not specify which federal agency the GSA would assign.
  • Mission Local observed a barricaded section of the garage filled with unmarked federal government cars and white vans.
  • Angela Chan, assistant chief attorney in the public defender's office, stated that using city-owned parking for immigration enforcement may violate local and state sanctuary laws prohibiting local collaboration with federal immigration agencies.
  • Supervisor Bilal Mahmood stated he was previously unaware of ICE's presence in the garage and is working with city officials to investigate how the space was used.

Who's Mentioned

location630 Sansome St.“Location of the federal building and ICE field office.”OrganizationConcord Immigration Court“Location of a recorded arrest involving an ICE vehicle.”PersonNicholas“Local writer and contributor for local outlets.”OrganizationIMCO Parking“Private entity that contracts out garage management for the city.”PersonBilal Mahmood“Supervisor who authored legislation preventing immigration enforcement on city p”locationOakland“City where a recent arrest involving a vehicle from the lot occurred.”locationBay Area“Native region of journalist Clara-Sophia Daly.”OrganizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal agency allegedly parking vehicles and staging operations out of a city-o”OrganizationGeneral Services Administration“Federal agency that subcontracts parking spaces for federal agencies.”OrganizationColumbia Journalism School“Graduate school attended by Clara-Sophia Daly.”OrganizationSan Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency“City agency that owns the Golden Gateway Garage and is investigating the parking”OrganizationGolden Gateway Garage“City-owned parking garage located at 250 Clay St. where federal vehicles were ob”OrganizationMiami Herald“Previous news outlet where Daly reported.”OrganizationSkidmore College“Alma mater of journalist Clara-Sophia Daly.”PersonClara-Sophia Daly“Journalist covering immigration for Mission Local.”PersonParisa Safarzadeh“Director of communications for SFMTA.”OrganizationCity Attorney’s Office“City office working with SFMTA to explore contractual options.”PersonAngela Chan“Assistant chief attorney in the San Francisco public defender's office discussin”OrganizationMission Local“Local news outlet that visited the garage and reported on the issue.”location250 Clay St.“Address of the Golden Gateway Garage.”