In the wake of recent immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, the Trump administration has directed blame at California’s policies for allegedly sheltering immigrants described as “the worst of the worst.”
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin questioned, “Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens?”
Despite such declarations, records and a CalMatters analysis indicate that California has a history of coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target two individuals considered top priorities: Roland E. Veneracion-Enriquez and Cuong Chanh Phan, both of whom served time for violent crimes.
This cooperation challenges the Trump administration’s justification for launching its expansive immigration enforcement campaign in Los Angeles.
Chanh Phan, previously convicted of murder, was released directly to ICE in August 2022.
In contrast, Veneracion’s case demonstrates the complexities surrounding these detentions.
California state prison officials informed ICE of his impending release in May, but federal agents failed to pick him up at that time.
Instead, the convicted sex offender was released, and ICE later claimed credit for his arrest weeks afterward.
The state’s sanctuary policy does not protect unauthorized immigrants with serious criminal convictions, leading to over 9,000 individuals with such backgrounds being handed over to ICE since Governor Gavin Newsom took office in 2019.
Local county jails have encountered similar issues, where sheriffs have voiced frustration regarding ICE’s failure to detain certain individuals who may be eligible for deportation.
During a recent immigration enforcement operation from June 6 to June 22, authorities arrested 1,618 immigrants in Los Angeles and its neighboring areas, as confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.
Masquerading as targeted operations, these sweeps have focused on various community members, including day laborers, farmworkers, and even U.S. citizens.
Federal data from the Cato Institute reveals that a significant 65% of individuals detained by ICE since October 2024 had no prior criminal convictions, while more than 93% were not convicted of any violent crime.
Research indicates that immigrants, including those undocumented, actually commit crimes at significantly lower rates than their U.S.-born counterparts.
ICE has remained silent on questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the detention of Veneracion and Chanh Phan.
Understanding how ICE detainers operate is crucial to contextualizing these events.
An ICE detainer functions as a formal request between a local jail or prison and federal immigration authorities, which aims to facilitate the deportation process upon release.
Historically, immigrant advocacy organizations estimate that 70 to 75% of ICE arrests originate from local law enforcement handoffs.
In California, as individuals enter the state prison system, state corrections officers must flag potential deportees within 90 days and communicate that information to ICE.
Typically, ICE responds regarding an individual’s deportability, issuing a detainer to hold them for federal custody.
As release dates approach, state prison employees contact ICE again to ensure a smooth transition of custody.
This year, ICE has successfully detained 587 individuals out of 11,231 inmates released from prisons, equating to a pick-up rate of about 87% for those who have a detainer in place.
Veneracion-Enriquez, who is now 55 years old, spent 28 years in prison for rape before being set to be released this May.
State officials had contacted ICE about his impending release as mandated by law.
However, just a day before he was set to be handed over, ICE canceled Veneracion’s detainer, resulting in his release the following day.
Following his release, he was monitored with an ankle bracelet and required to register as a sex offender, with his last recorded address in Long Beach.
ICE managed to apprehend Veneracion during a routine check-in on June 7.
His current deportation status remains unknown.
Chanh Phan’s trajectory contrasts sharply as he was released directly into ICE detention in August 2022.
Phan, who had spent 24 years in prison for murdering two teenagers at a graduation party, was highlighted in a press release that underscored the alleged dangers posed by his presence in the community.
The Department of Homeland Security’s discourse explicitly accused Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass of protecting individuals like Phan over the safety of U.S. citizens.
What transpired in the wake of Chanh Phan’s release by ICE remains vague, with CalMatters lacking comprehensive information on his current detention status or history.
While California’s sanctuary law was established during the Trump administration, it’s designed to shield unauthorized immigrants accused of low-level offenses from deportation.
Notably, senior state corrections officials can collaborate with federal authorities regarding individuals in custody who pose serious deportation risks.
Many local law enforcement leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with the current framework, expressing concerns over individuals being released despite valid deportation holds.
For example, the Orange County sheriff recently reported that out of 48,000 inmates booked in 2024, several individuals would have been eligible for deportation but were not apprehended by ICE.
Sheriff Don Barnes noted that those left unapprehended could potentially re-offend and deplete local law enforcement resources.
State lawmakers attempted to expand sanctuary laws in 2019 and 2023, only to have Governor Newsom veto those efforts.
In his veto explanations, Newsom asserted that existing sanctuary policies already represent an appropriate compromise.
He has consistently portrayed California as a stronghold for immigrant rights, often positioning himself in opposition to federal deportation strategies.
Tweets exchanged between Newsom and former Trump Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller captured this ongoing tension, wherein Newsom highlighted the state’s track record of cooperation with ICE, specifically noting over 10,588 instances of cooperation aimed at removing dangerous individuals under his governorship.
The ongoing dynamics between state policies and federal enforcement efforts continue to evolve, with immigrant rights groups and law enforcement alike calling for clearer guidelines and enforcement mechanisms to balance public safety and immigrant protection.
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