THE FOLLOW UP
STATEMENT

ICE says it holds 33,179 active detainers for criminal noncitizens in California custody

True

Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.

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enforcement

Confirm ICE records or DHS reporting show 33,179 active arrest detainers for criminal noncitizens in California local, state, or federal jails/prisons.

Source summary
The Department of Homeland Security issued a press release calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom and sanctuary jurisdictions to honor 33,179 ICE arrest detainers for people in California jails. DHS says 4,561 detainers were not honored and those individuals were released into communities since January 20, 2025, and lists specific crime categories and counts. The release describes a February 2, 2026, incident at Ventura County Jail involving Jorge Lopez Santos and urges cooperation with ICE while warning about risks to officers. DHS officials quoted in the release called on California to change its practice and said federal enforcement will continue.
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Latest fact check

ICE and DHS have publicly reported that there are 33,179 individuals in California custody for whom ICE has active detainers; ICE’s Feb. 6, 2026 news release (republished by DHS on Feb. 10, 2026) states “There are currently 33,179 aliens in the custody of a California jurisdiction with active detainers” and characterizes them as criminal aliens with identified offenses. Verdict: True — the figure is reported by ICE/DHS as of the Feb. 2026 releases; however, this relies on ICE’s internal data and characterization of those individuals as “criminal,” which may include people with convictions, pending charges, or other enforcement categories in ICE records.

Sources

Timeline

  1. Update · Feb 11, 2026, 04:02 AMTrue
    ICE and DHS have publicly reported that there are 33,179 individuals in California custody for whom ICE has active detainers; ICE’s Feb. 6, 2026 news release (republished by DHS on Feb. 10, 2026) states “There are currently 33,179 aliens in the custody of a California jurisdiction with active detainers” and characterizes them as criminal aliens with identified offenses. Verdict: True — the figure is reported by ICE/DHS as of the Feb. 2026 releases; however, this relies on ICE’s internal data and characterization of those individuals as “criminal,” which may include people with convictions, pending charges, or other enforcement categories in ICE records.
  2. Original article · Feb 10, 2026
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