Department of Justice requests data on non-citizen inmates from California jails
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Department of Justice has formally requested data from several major California counties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, seeking detailed information on jail inmates who are not United States citizens, according to a DOJ press release issued Thursday.
The request asks sheriffs to provide lists of all non-citizen inmates currently held in county jails, including their arrest or conviction details and scheduled release dates. The DOJ says the information is intended to support federal immigration enforcement efforts by identifying undocumented individuals who have committed crimes while in the U.S.
'Removing criminal illegal aliens is this administration's highest priority,' said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. 'I look forward to cooperating with California's county sheriffs to accomplish our shared duty of keeping Californians and all Americans safe and secure.'
California steps in to support LGBTQ+ youth after federal lifeline cutback
The DOJ claims the effort is part of a broader response to what it describes as an 'unprecedented' influx of illegal border crossings and a corresponding rise in criminal activity committed by some undocumented individuals.
'Far too many of those illegal aliens have gone on to commit crimes on American soil, including rapes, murders, and other violent crimes,' DOJ officials noted.
The department emphasized it prefers voluntary cooperation from local sheriffs but stated it is prepared to use legal tools, including subpoenas, to obtain the data if necessary.
It is not yet clear how California counties will respond to the request. Some jurisdictions in the state have 'sanctuary' policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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