July 19, 2025
DOJ Requests Data on Noncitizen Inmates in California Jails
Track federal-state clashes over data requests
🛂Immigration✊Civil Rights⚖️Justice
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
🛂Immigration✊Civil Rights⚖️Justice
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
In which month and year did the U.S. Department of Justice request county sheriffs in California to provide noncitizen inmate data?
Q2
Fill in the blanks: Show up at the ____ on ____—one public comment can shift sheriff budgets from courtroom battles back to local services.
Q3
Sheriffs may face DOJ subpoenas if they don't provide July noncitizen inmate data.
Q4
Which federal agency formally requested California sheriffs' noncitizen inmate data?
Q5
What local forum should residents use to challenge a DOJ inmate-data request?
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Pamela Bondi
U.S. Attorney General
Robert Luna
Los Angeles County Sheriff
Paul Miyamoto
San Francisco Sheriff
Rob Bonta
California Attorney General
Gavin Newsom
California Governor
Chad Bianco
Riverside County Sheriff