The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly criticized California's sanctuary policies, alleging that the state has released approximately 24,000 undocumented immigrants from jail since January 2025, rather than transferring them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
DHS stated that these individuals faced more than 81,000 criminal charges or convictions, which included 169 homicides, 147 sexual assaults, 1,097 assaults, and 3,295 burglaries. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin asserted that Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has transformed California into a "hotbed of illegal alien crime."
"Sanctuary politicians have not only refused to cooperate with law enforcement and released murderers, child abusers, kidnappers, and gang members back onto the street," Mullin said.
DHS highlighted several cases involving individuals released by Los Angeles County despite ICE detainers. Among them was Ursulo Montenegro Martinez, a Mexican national convicted of negligent manslaughter with a weapon, drug offenses, and illegal entry. ICE had requested his detainment on June 23, 2025, but he was released instead.
Taron Gorgoyan, a citizen of Armenia, was reportedly released after ICE issued a detainer on March 6, 2026. His past convictions include voluntary manslaughter, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, identity theft, and disturbing the peace.
Salvador Jesus Serpas-Hernandez, identified by DHS as a member of the Rebels 13 gang and a citizen of El Salvador, was allegedly released despite an ICE request on April 1, 2026. His convictions include murder, cruelty to a child, and battery on a former spouse.
Mexico national Noe Silva-Cervantes, accused by DHS of being an Inglewood 13 gang member, was released from custody despite an ICE detainer on April 9, 2025. His prior convictions include attempted murder, robbery, and grand theft.
Javier Balbuena Fernandez, a Cuban national convicted of second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon, was released after ICE lodged a detainer request on April 22, 2025, according to the agency.
