A Bay Area tattoo artist facing deportation has been granted a temporary reprieve as his case moves through federal court.
Guillermo Medina Reyes, 31, appeared in San Francisco federal court this week surrounded by faith leaders and immigrant rights advocates. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials argue that Medina Reyes violated the conditions of his release following a recent arrest for vandalism. If detained, he could remain in ICE custody for up to 18 months before receiving a hearing.
The court is set to decide by Thursday whether Medina Reyes is entitled to a bond hearing or whether he can be detained immediately.
An illegal alien in California was granted a restraining order by a San Francisco federal judge, barring ICE agents from taking him into custody.
Two weeks later, he was arrested for a string of crimes—including attempting to steal a car with a 3-year-old child inside. pic.twitter.com/JxYKUSAvFt
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 30, 2025
Medina Reyes’ case has drawn the attention of activists who argue he is being targeted for his community involvement after previously serving time for attempted murder.
His legal troubles escalated further after a series of incidents in Berkeley last weekend. Police say that early Saturday morning, Medina Reyes called 911 to report a possible emergency at a vacant house on Prince Street, where he had been staying. Officers found a broken window and cuts to his hand before leaving the scene.
By mid-morning, authorities say he approached a big-rig driver on San Pablo Avenue, stole his phone, and attempted to take his truck, which later stalled. Investigators report that he also entered a café and a nearby rental car agency, where he allegedly took a handheld radio and called 911.
According to police, Medina Reyes then tried to carjack a Prius with a toddler inside outside a local bakery. When that failed, he allegedly confronted a 70-year-old woman at a nearby gas station, where she doused him with gasoline to defend herself. She was knocked to the ground during the struggle.
Firefighters later spotted Medina Reyes and detained him. He was administered Narcan and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities described him as combative and in an altered state at the time of his detention.
Medina Reyes remains under mental health evaluation as the court prepares to rule on his immigration detention status.