Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is clarifying its inmate transfer policies following a public inquiry on social media regarding the release of over 900 individuals. Sheriff Robert Luna stated that his department only transfers inmates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when presented with a judicial warrant for a significant crime. This stance comes amidst ongoing discussions about local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
A tweet from the account "Cartel California" directly questioned the LASD, stating, ">How many of the 900 + were rapist, murderers, gang bangers, drug dealers, child molestors and traffickers @LACoSheriff? Do you even know coward? Just answer the question." The tweet also tagged several public officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Sheriff Luna has consistently maintained that the LASD adheres to California's sanctuary state laws, which restrict local law enforcement from complying with civil immigration detainer requests without a judicial warrant. Records indicate that the LASD received 995 civil detainer requests from ICE in 2024, none of which were complied with due to the absence of such warrants. This figure aligns closely with the "900+" mentioned in the social media post.
The Sheriff emphasized that when his department does transfer inmates to ICE, it is because these individuals have "enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant for and they’ve committed, usually, a significant crime," such as attempted murder, rape, or robbery. He underscored that these transfers are not arbitrary but are based on legal requirements and the severity of the alleged offenses. This policy aims to balance public safety with adherence to state laws regarding immigration.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently issued requests to California counties, including Los Angeles, for information on non-U.S. inmates and their release dates. However, Sheriff Luna reiterated that the LASD cannot share personal information or comply with transfer requests unless a judicial warrant signed by a judge is presented. This position reflects the department's commitment to legal protocols and the protection of individual rights within the framework of state and federal law.