Story perspectives

Federal Officials Urge California to Detain Criminal Immigrants

2/7/2026

Summary

Noem and Lyons Pressure

Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, pressure California over the release of over 33,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
They assert 4,561 have been charged since January 20, including 31 homicides and 661 assaults.
Gavin Newsom, California Governor, says California cooperates with ICE to remove violent offenders.
He criticizes federal officials for not detaining more people with active detainers.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation shifted U.S. immigration patterns, increasing arrivals from Asia and Latin America. Today, tensions persist as federal officials address the release of 33,000 undocumented immigrants in California, reflecting ongoing debates about immigration policy and public safety.

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Noem and Lyons Pressure

Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, pressure California over the release of over 33,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
They assert 4,561 have been charged since January 20, including 31 homicides and 661 assaults.
Gavin Newsom, California Governor, says California cooperates with ICE to remove violent offenders.
He criticizes federal officials for not detaining more people with active detainers.

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