DHS Intensifies Criticism of California's Sanctuary Policies Amid Weekend ICE Arrests of Serious Offenders
- Kari Chilson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Washington, D.C. – February 10, 2026 –The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pressing California Governor Gavin Newsom to honor ICE detainers. They say sanctuary policies put communities and officers in danger.
ICE currently has 33,179 active detainers for criminal illegal aliens in California prisons. Since January 20, 2025, California has released 4,561 of these individuals despite detainers.
Their crimes include:
31 homicides
661 assaults
574 burglaries
184 robberies
1,489 drug offenses
379 weapons charges
234 sexual crimes
DHS warns that ignoring detainers forces officers to make arrests in public. This increases risks for both officers and the public.
Recent Example in Ventura County
On February 2, 2026, ICE tried to arrest Jorge Lopez Santos at Ventura County Jail. He faced local charges for drug possession, burglary tools, and trespassing.
California ignored the ICE detainer. Officers had to arrest him in the jail lobby after his release. About 15 protesters gathered outside. They surrounded the officers and tried to stop the arrest. One woman assaulted an ICE officer—a federal felony.
This was not his first ignored detainer. In March 2025, Oxnard police released him on drug charges despite an ICE request.
Lopez Santos entered the U.S. legally in 2021 on an H-2B visa. He overstayed when it expired in 2022.
DHS Statement
“We urge Gov. Newsom to honor ICE detainers for the 33,000+ criminal illegal aliens in custody,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “It’s common sense for public safety.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says enforcement will continue. The agency also gave a tip line for reporting threats against ICE officers: 866-DHS-2-ICE.
Weekend Arrests Highlight Broader Effort
On February 9, DHS announced weekend arrests of criminal illegal aliens convicted of serious crimes nationwide. These included murder, rape, sexual assault of minors, and kidnapping.
Assistant Secretary McLaughlin said: “While ICE was demonized at the Super Bowl, our officers risked their lives arresting criminal illegal alien murderers, pedophiles, and rapists.”
One California case: Mario Rosales-Figueroa, convicted of sex with a minor in Visalia.
DHS reports anti-ICE rhetoric has caused a 1,300% surge in assaults on officers. They say 70% of ICE arrests involve people charged or convicted of U.S. crimes.
California’s Response
Governor Newsom’s office says the state cooperates with ICE on serious violent crimes. They claim California has transferred over 12,000 people to ICE since 2019. Officials call DHS claims misleading and say the state does not harbor criminals.
The debate continues as federal and state policies clash over immigration enforcement and public safety.
