O.C. Sheriff's Department transferred 126 inmates to ICE

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported that it transferred 126 inmates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2024. This was part of the department's annual update during the TRUTH Act hearing held by the OC Board of Supervisors on March 25. The event aims to provide information on how local law enforcement interacts with immigration officials. In 2024, the Sheriff’s Department notified ICE about 226 inmates who completed their jail time. Of these, 186 were taken into custody by ICE. This figure shows a slight increase from the previous year but is lower compared to 2017, when around 580 individuals were transferred. During the hearing, immigrant advocates urged the Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Don Barnes to halt all transfers to ICE. They expressed concern about the fear these policies generate within the immigrant community. Faby Jacome, director of the Orange County Justice Fund, emphasized that local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE harms trust within the community. Sheriff Barnes responded by reaffirming his stance that the department does not engage in enforcement operations for federal immigration laws. He maintained that they do not inquire about the immigration status of crime victims or witnesses. However, he noted that law enforcement must still cooperate with federal authorities when necessary. Carlos Perea, from the Harbor Institute for Immigrant & Economic Justice, argued that collaboration with ICE undermines public safety. Data showed that a significant majority of transfers came from Mexican and Vietnamese communities, which represent a larger proportion of those detained than their population size in Orange County would suggest. Barnes also called for the repeal of SB 54, California's sanctuary state law, claiming it restricts local law enforcement’s ability to handle offenders effectively. Sheriff’s statistics indicated that investigations referred to ICE accounted for less than 1% of all bookings in the previous year. Supervisors discussed the higher number of ICE transfers in Orange County compared to neighboring areas. They expressed a desire to understand better how these policies are impacting community safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies. The hearing highlighted ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement in the region.