San Jose tattoo artist arrested in Berkeley after fighting ICE deportation

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Jose tattoo artist allegedly committed a flurry of crimes in Berkeley this week after he received strong support during his legal fight against deportation.

The tattoo artist, 31-year-old Guillermo Medina Reyes, is a native of Mexico and longtime San Jose resident. As a 16-year-old boy, he was convicted of attempted murder and served a decade in prison.

On July 27, Reyes attempted to steal several vehicles along San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, according to the Berkeley Police Department. During one of the attempted carjackings, he “approached a vehicle at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Jones Street, punched the passenger-side window, and attempted to open the vehicle’s door,” BPD told KRON4.

Several people called 911. Officers arrested Reyes and transported him to a local hospital for medical evaluations. He was later booked into Berkeley City Jail.

Earlier this July, immigration rights activists held rallies outside a federal immigration courthouse in San Francisco and heavily criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials’ plan to deport Reyes. He was described by activists as a “beloved” community member.

With a possible ICE arrest looming, Reyes waged a legal fight to remain in the United States.

His defense attorney appeared in immigration court on July 15 asking for an extension to a restraining order that protected his client from ICE. The restraining order barred ICE agents from taking Reyes into custody. Dozens of supporters chanted outside the courthouse, “Donald Trump, let’s be clear, immigrants are welcome here!”

At the July 15 rally, Reyes told KRON4 that he changed his life around for the better and he now works as an immigrant rights leader. He is a vocal opponent of “dehumanizing” immigration policies and poor conditions inside ICE detention facilities, Reyes said.

When he was six years old, Reyes moved with his mother from Mexico to the U.S. He said he was targeted by ICE this year because of his outspoken advocacy against immigrants’ detentions and deportations.

On Wednesday, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Reyes with multiple felonies in connection to the Berkeley incident, including carjacking, vehicle theft, and grand theft.

ICE officials posted a video on X about Reyes’ most recent arrest and wrote, “Let this be a lesson to sanctuary policy supporters.”

A hearing for Reyes’ immigration case was scheduled Tuesday in federal court. He is also facing vandalism charges in Santa Clara County for an incident that occurred earlier this year.