WASHINGTON, DC – The Trump administration is sending a clear warning to California.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have issued an urgent warning to California officials, urging Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta to honor federal detainers and block the release of more than 33,000 inmates in state and local custody with immigration violations and criminal convictions.
In a letter sent Friday by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, federal officials said 33,179 individuals currently held in California jails have active immigration detainers, including suspects and convicts charged with or convicted of serious crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, weapons offenses, and drug trafficking. ICE says the state’s sanctuary policies are preventing coordination between state facilities and federal immigration authorities.
According to ICE data, California has already released at least 4,561 criminal aliens since January 2024 whose detainers were not honored. Those individuals, officials said, include people charged with or convicted of 31 homicides, 661 assaults, 574 burglaries, 184 robberies, 1,489 dangerous drug offenses, 379 weapons violations, and 234 sexual predatory crimes.
“Governor Newsom and his fellow California sanctuary politicians are releasing murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers back into our neighborhoods and putting American lives at risk,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are calling on California to stop this dangerous derangement and commit to honoring the ICE arrest detainers of the more than 33,000 criminal illegal aliens in custody.”
Federal officials cite repeat offenders and gang ties
ICE listed several examples of individuals previously released by California jails despite active detainers, including suspects tied to child sexual assault, homicide, and gang activity. Among those named were Hector Grijalba-Sernas, a Mexican national accused of lewd acts with a child; Angel Navarro Camarillo, a documented gang member linked to sex offender violations; and Raphael Arturovich Gevorgyan, an Armenian Power gang affiliate with convictions for manslaughter and assault.
Officials said many of the released offenders have since been rearrested or removed from the United States through federal operations, while others remain in custody awaiting judicial proceedings. ICE maintains that cooperation between local and federal law enforcement is “essential for public safety.”
ICE presses California to reverse sanctuary restrictions
Federal officials argue that California’s statewide sanctuary laws — which restrict state and local law enforcement from sharing certain inmate information or cooperating with ICE detainers — are undermining national security and putting communities at risk.
ICE is continuing to lobby for cooperation agreements similar to those in other states, noting that “seven of the ten safest cities in the United States work directly with ICE.” The agency says it will continue to track released offenders and pursue immigration enforcement actions where legally permissible.
• ICE reports 33,179 inmates in California with active immigration detainers
• DHS urges Governor Newsom and state leaders to cooperate with federal enforcement
• Officials warn releases include offenders convicted of homicide, sexual assault, and drug trafficking
The California Department of Justice and the Governor’s Office have not yet responded publicly to the letter.