Recent records from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlight a growing concern regarding cooperation between federal authorities and local jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. The data reveals a significant number of instances where ICE detainer requests—requests to hold individuals pending immigration proceedings—were denied, leading to the release of individuals who have committed crimes.
According to information obtained by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), over 25,000 ICE detainers were declined by sanctuary jurisdictions across the nation in recent years. A particularly troubling aspect of this data concerns those with violent criminal histories; between October 1, 2022 and February 6, 2024, at least 72 individuals convicted or charged with homicide were released from U.S. jails despite outstanding ICE detainers.
A disproportionate number of these releases occurred within a few detention centers. The Illinois River Corrections Center and Santa Clara County jails each facilitated the release of six individuals with homicide convictions, while the Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois accounted for five.
This situation has intensified debate surrounding sanctuary policies—local or state laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—particularly as President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to stricter immigration measures. Trump recently stated on Truth Social:
“No more Sanctuary Cities! They protect the Criminals, not the Victims. They are disgracing our Country, and are being mocked all over the World. Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!”
The ICE data further underscores which regions demonstrate the lowest levels of compliance with detainer requests. California, designated a sanctuary state by CIS, accounted for more than half (52%) of the declined detainers.
- California: Over 3,000 criminal aliens were released during the specified period.
- Illinois: A significant number of detainers were also denied within Illinois, another sanctuary state.
- Virginia: Although not a statewide sanctuary state, Virginia boasts numerous jurisdictions with their own restrictive policies.
- Massachusetts and Connecticut: These states are also classified as sanctuary states by CIS.
Alfonso Aguilar, Director of Hispanic Engagement at the American Principles Project, expressed concern over these figures, stating, “It’s shocking that over half of the declined detainers were refused by jails and prisons in California.” He added that Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials have a responsibility to address these concerns with their constituents.
Beyond Santa Clara County, Cook County Jail in Illinois and the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center in Virginia also contributed substantially to the number of released individuals, each declining over 1,000 ICE detainers during that timeframe.
Aguilar concluded, “What’s happening in these jurisdictions is unconscionable…Their leaders evidently don’t believe that illegal immigrants that have been charged or convicted with crimes should be removed from their communities. And by ignoring ICE detainers and releasing them into the community, they’re putting in danger the lives and property of their citizens.”
