local
Bay Area immigration attorney says TSA put him on watchlist
By Christie Smith at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· June 24, 2026
· 2 min read
A Bay Area immigration attorney says he was subjected to an intense, 45-minute security screening at San Francisco International Airport and told he was on a watchlist, prompting concerns that he is being targeted for his legal advocacy.
Nikolas De Bremaeker, managing attorney for the immigran...
Key takeaway Nikolas De Bremaeker, managing attorney for the immigrants’ rights practice at Oakland-based Centro Legal de la Raza, said the incident occurred earlier this month before a flight from San Francisco to Boston.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The incident involving Nikolas De Bremaeker, a Bay Area immigration attorney, raises concerns about the potential chilling effect on legal advocacy in San Francisco. As a managing attorney for the immigrants' rights practice at Centro Legal de la Raza, De Bremaeker's work has a direct impact on the local immigrant community. His recent involvement in a key court ruling restricting ICE's authority to arrest immigrants may have contributed to his placement on a watchlist. This incident may deter other local attorneys from taking on similar cases, ultimately affecting the access to legal representation for immigrants in the Bay Area. The University of San Francisco's law professor, Bill Hing, suggests that this incident is part of a broader pattern of intimidation, which could have far-reaching consequences for the local immigrant community and the attorneys who serve them. The city's reputation as a sanctuary for immigrants may be undermined if such incidents become more frequent.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Bay Area immigration attorney says he was subjected to an intense, 45-minute security screening at San Francisco International Airport and told he was on a watchlist, prompting concerns that he is being targeted for his legal advocacy.
Nikolas De Bremaeker, managing attorney for the immigran...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Christie Smith at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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