Bay Area activist Guillermo Reyes arrested by ICE after fighting detention

Reyes, an outspoken advocate against immigration detention, was taken into custody outside his San Jose home on Valentine's Day.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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After months of fighting efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain him, Bay Area activist Guillermo Medina Reyes was arrested by federal agents on Valentine's Day outside his San Jose home. Reyes, an outspoken advocate against immigration detention, was previously detained by ICE in 2022 and participated in labor and hunger strikes to protest conditions. His lawyers say he is being unfairly targeted due to his advocacy.

Why it matters

Reyes' case has become a rallying point for immigration activists in San Francisco, who have been organizing demonstrations at his court appearances for months. His arrest highlights concerns about the treatment of immigrants with criminal records, who advocates say face unfair 'double punishment' through detention and deportation.

The details

Reyes was processed through the ICE field office in Stockton before being taken to the California City Detention Facility, a former prison currently used for ICE detention. He has been fighting ICE in court since May 2025 after the agency announced its intention to re-detain him. In July, a federal judge ruled that ICE could not detain Reyes until he was granted a bond hearing, but on Feb. 13, an immigration judge ordered his re-detention without bond.

  • Reyes was arrested outside his San Jose home on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2026).
  • In 2022, while detained by ICE, Reyes participated in labor and hunger strikes to protest conditions.
  • Reyes was released from ICE detention in 2023.
  • ICE announced its intention to re-detain Reyes in May 2025 after he was arrested for vandalism.
  • Reyes was arrested again in August 2025 after police said he attempted three carjackings.

The players

Guillermo Medina Reyes

A Bay Area activist who has been an outspoken advocate against immigration detention. He was previously detained by ICE in 2022 and participated in labor and hunger strikes to protest conditions.

Lisa Knox

Part of Reyes' legal team, who called the immigration judge's decision to re-detain Reyes without bond a 'horrendous injustice'.

Stephanie Jayne

Reyes' friend, who met him in 2023 during a walk from San Jose to San Francisco to advocate for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Ezperanza Cuautle

Co-director of Pangea Legal Services, which represents Reyes in court. She says Reyes' case highlights the 'unfair punishment' applied to immigrants with criminal records.

Steven Kirchner

The immigration judge who ordered Reyes' re-detention without bond on February 13, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The racist treatment by the guards, the lack of medical and mental care, working for eight hours a day, and only being paid $1 surely made me want to go back to prison.”

— Guillermo Medina Reyes (Mission Local)

“For people who are at risk of being detained or deported, it's like being hunted. And I cannot imagine what that feels like every single day.”

— Stephanie Jayne, Reyes' friend (Mission Local)

“For U.S. citizens, even with a criminal record, they don't get exiled or kicked out of the country. This is the second punishment that is only applied to immigrants. They should have the right to a second chance to be able to reintegrate into the community and to be able to thrive with their family members.”

— Ezperanza Cuautle, Co-director of Pangea Legal Services (Mission Local)

What’s next

Reyes' deportation case is still ongoing, but it could take years before it is resolved. In the meantime, his lawyers are continuing to push for his immediate release.

The takeaway

Reyes' case highlights the challenges faced by immigrants with criminal records, who advocates say are unfairly targeted for detention and deportation, facing a 'second punishment' that is not applied to U.S. citizens. His arrest has become a rallying point for immigration activists in San Francisco, who are calling for more humane treatment of those in ICE custody.