30b5a936 D86b 4f98 A603 6a73c294179f · 19 questions

DOJ Requests Data on Noncitizen Inmates in California Jails

Track federal-state clashes over data requests·July 19, 2025

On Jul. 17, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi directed DOJ to request that sheriffs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major California counties hand over lists of all noncitizen inmates in their jails. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna called the request "impossible," explaining that his department doesn't collect immigration status data on inmates. Bondi warned of subpoenas if sheriffs don't comply voluntarily.

Key facts

On Jul. 17, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi directed the DOJ to request that California sheriffs provide lists of all noncitizen inmates, including names, criminal charges, and release dates

The DOJ threatened to pursue subpoenas and compulsory process if sheriffs do not comply voluntarily with the data request

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna called compliance impossible because LASD does not collect immigration status data on inmates

LASD received 995 ICE detainer requests in 2024 and complied with none, citing California sanctuary law SB 54

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto rejected the request, stating his priority is public safety not politics and noting the federal government already has fingerprints of all inmates

California SB 54 (California Values Act) prohibits local law enforcement from using resources for federal immigration enforcement, with exceptions for judicial warrants

The Ninth Circuit upheld SB 54 in Apr. 2019 (United States v. California); the Supreme Court declined review in 2020

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed 37 lawsuits against Trump administration actions, defending SB 54 as constitutional

Despite the standoff, LASD has transferred 20 inmates to ICE in 2025 when presented with federal judicial warrants for violent crimes