Sydney Johnson

“I believe they are bringing this up to try to justify their actions,”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson claimed DHS cited a decades-old arrest to justify its enforcement actions.

“The tactics change, but the goal is the same – to make it harder for people to want to fight their case here, and to make them just give up.”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson discussed the overarching aim behind aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

“The reality is a 2002 arrest when he was visiting his family here, without more, does not bar him from seeking asylum.”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson stated that a 2002 arrest without convictions does not disqualify Assim Alkhawaja from seeking asylum.

“You can do everything right and you can still get screwed.”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson highlighted how individuals can follow all legal procedures and still face adverse outcomes.

“It ebbs and flows, when [and where] arrests happen. Sometimes it happens outside of a courthouse, sometimes it happens in the streets,”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson described the inconsistent patterns and locations of ICE arrests in San Diego.

“It puts people in a bad spot, where they’re like: ‘But I did the right thing, I applied for asylum within the timeframe, and it’s not my fault that it’s pending,’”

Sydney Johnson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Sydney Johnson explained the vulnerable position of asylum applicants who follow rules but lack formal status.