More Than a Dozen LA Inmates Transferred to ICE

LA Mayor Karen Bass at Christmas event

Los Angeles County has reportedly begun transferring inmates to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with eight inmates in May and a dozen in June. Critics noted that the move contradicts city sanctuary policies, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Mayor Karen Bass has opposed the operations, claiming they instill fear in immigrant communities and jeopardize public safety.

Visitors center at ICE detention facility

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department asserted that federal judicial warrants used in the transfers applied only to individuals convicted of criminal offenses. In June, Bass intervened during an ICE raid at MacArthur Park, condemning the operation as an example of federal overreach.

Mayor Bass signs housing directive for homeless

Bass stated, “Maybe we are part of a national experiment to determine how far the federal government can go in reaching in and taking over power from a governor, power from a local jurisdiction, and, frankly, leaving our city and our citizens, our residents, in fear.”

National Guard watches protests in Paramount

Bass added, “Minutes before, there were more than 20 kids playing—then, the MILITARY comes through.”

Inauguration ceremony for Mayor Karen Bass

Local law enforcement has continued to assist ICE with transfers authorized by judicial warrants, maintaining that such involvement has required proper judicial oversight for federal access to county facilities.

Pam Bondi testifies before Congress

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Removing criminal illegal aliens is this administration’s highest priority.” She added, “I look forward to cooperating with California’s county sheriffs to accomplish our shared duty of keeping Californians and all Americans safe and secure.”

Pam Bondi arrives for Senate hearing

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked California sheriffs to submit lists of inmates who are not U.S. citizens. Legal experts have cautioned that the move may conflict with the state’s sanctuary laws.

Pam Bondi leaves House hearing

Responses to federal immigration policies have sparked widespread protests and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Local leaders have pushed for resistance to raids, pushing for stronger civil liberties protections.

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto sworn in on January 8, 2020

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said, “My priority is public safety — not politics — and we will not foster fear in immigrant communities by acting as an arm of immigration enforcement.”

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto poses for portrait

Federal courts have imposed restrictions on ICE operations, ruling that racial profiling is impermissible in immigration enforcement. American Civil Liberties Union senior policy lawyer Andres Kwon said, “Even the federal government has admitted that these requests to local law enforcement agencies are simply that — requests.”

Jennifer White covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.