The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to California, New York, and Illinois, demanding that they cooperate with federal authorities in detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants released from prison after serving time for crimes.
Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said DHS sent letters last week to the Democratic attorneys general of the three states, requesting assistance in notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when criminal illegal immigrants are released from custody.
“These dangerous sanctuary policies, often combined with cashless bail for serious crimes, allow criminal illegal aliens to be released back into American communities, threatening the American people’s lives and wellbeing,” McLaughlin said.
According to McLaughlin:
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Illinois and New York refused to inform ICE about released undocumented criminals.
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California did not respond to the DHS letter.
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ICE followed up on Friday, warning that it may seek help from the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to enforce compliance.
The Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement since taking office in January 2025, deploying additional federal troops to the southern border and pledging to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
The DHS statement emphasized that over 400,000 undocumented immigrants have been arrested so far, with roughly 70% facing criminal charges or convictions.
The standoff underscores ongoing tension between federal immigration authorities and so-called sanctuary states, which maintain policies limiting cooperation with ICE.
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