The White House didn’t hold back.
The Trump administration is escalating its public safety warnings over California’s immigration policies, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration detainer requests.
Leavitt argued that California’s sanctuary policies are allowing violent criminal offenders to return to local communities rather than being transferred into federal custody for removal.
DHS Raises Alarm Over Criminal Releases
On Friday, Leavitt shared a Department of Homeland Security statement outlining multiple cases involving illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of serious crimes. The list included allegations ranging from sexual offenses against minors to violent assaults and murder.
Leavitt questioned Newsom’s actions in her post, citing what federal officials describe as an escalating public safety issue.
The post followed a strongly worded letter sent earlier this week by Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. According to Lyons, California’s sanctuary policies have resulted in the release of 4,561 criminal illegal aliens since January 20.
Lyons said Newsom and other California leaders backing sanctuary policies are allowing individuals convicted of serious crimes — including murder, sexual offenses against children, and drug trafficking — to return to local communities, warning that the approach endangers law-abiding Americans.
Newsom Pushes Back as Dispute Escalates
Newsom responded on social media by disputing the administration’s claims and accusing the White House of political distraction. The governor stated that California cooperates with ICE in certain cases involving serious offenders housed in state prisons.
According to Newsom’s office, California has transferred more than 12,000 inmates from state prisons into ICE custody in recent years. However, federal officials argue that cooperation breaks down at the local level.
DHS reports that immigration authorities are not notified or allowed to assume custody in roughly one out of every eight cases involving individuals with active ICE detainer requests.
Trump Administration Expands Immigration Enforcement
The dispute comes as President Donald Trump has significantly increased immigration enforcement nationwide. Federal agencies report a sharp rise in arrests and operations, including more than 10,000 arrests in the Los Angeles area alone over the past year.
According to DHS data, California currently holds more than 33,000 individuals with active ICE detainers. Federal officials say these individuals have criminal histories that include:
- Hundreds of homicide cases
- Thousands of assaults and burglaries
- Over 1,000 robbery offenses
- Major drug trafficking violations
- Weapons-related crimes
- Nearly 1,300 sexual predator cases
To support its claims, DHS released case summaries and booking photos, emphasizing what it calls the real-world consequences of sanctuary laws.
Public Safety Takes Center Stage
Administration officials argue the debate is no longer about politics, but about public safety and accountability. They say California’s refusal to honor ICE detainers undermines federal law enforcement efforts and puts communities at risk.
As immigration enforcement intensifies nationwide, the clash between the Trump administration and California leadership shows no sign of slowing — with public safety now squarely at the center of the national conversation.
