A report from the House Judiciary Committee alleges that California's sanctuary city policies have led to the release of nearly 9,000 individuals sought by federal immigration authorities, including those with criminal records. The report claims that officials in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have largely ignored detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the report, the Los Angeles police honored only four out of 4,177 ICE detainers between January 2020 and June 2026. The San Francisco Sheriff's Office reportedly rejected all 2,201 detainers received between January 2020 and August 2026. In San Diego, the county Sheriff's Office declined 2,527 detainers between January 2023 and June 2026, with 894 of those occurring in the last year alone. Combined, these agencies reportedly rejected 8,901 detainers during the specified periods.
The report further cites ICE figures indicating that California authorities released 4,561 immigrants sought by federal agents between January 20, 2025, and early February 2026. The individuals identified in the investigation allegedly included immigrants with criminal histories involving homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary, weapons offenses, and child abuse.
Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), compiled the 22-page report. They contend that California's sanctuary policies force local law enforcement to release individuals with criminal records onto the streets.
The report highlights several cases, including that of Herbert Nixon Flores, an immigrant from El Salvador with a history of deportation who was arrested in Los Angeles in September 2020 on a domestic violence charge. Despite an ICE detainer request, Flores was reportedly released and subsequently accused of murder in January 2021.
Another case mentioned is the February 2022 Sacramento church shooting, where David Mora Rojas, a Mexican national who had overstayed his visa, killed his three daughters and another man. Five days prior to the shooting, Rojas had been arrested on charges including battery on a police officer and driving under the influence. ICE had reportedly requested notification of his release, but he was freed on bail.
The report also references testimony from Anatoly Varfolomeev, whose daughter and her friend were killed in November 2021 by Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiana, a man who had been deported twice before and re-entered the U.S. illegally. Ortega-Anguiana was reportedly driving nearly 100 mph at the time of the crash. Varfolomeev blamed California's policies for the deaths.
California's sanctuary policies have roots in legislation such as the Trust Act of 2013 and the California Values Act of 2017, which generally limit state and local authorities from aiding federal immigration enforcement, with exceptions for those convicted of certain serious crimes. ICE detainers are requests for notification before an immigrant's release or for detention for up to 48 hours.
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The report concludes that California's policies reflect a "radical, socialist Democrat Party that seeks to erase national borders" and indicates that congressional scrutiny of sanctuary jurisdictions will continue. Republicans are pursuing legislation known as the Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act to prohibit state and local measures that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Officials from Governor Newsom's office have previously stated that California cooperates with ICE and that claims of blocking such cooperation are false. They argue that sanctuary protections encourage immigrant communities to report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement without fear of deportation.