ICE detained 118 undocumented immigrants during various raids across central California, with officials claiming these individuals were among the most dangerous offenders, including convicted sex offenders and violent criminals.
Over the course of six days, spanning from Christmas to New Year’s, federal agents apprehended individuals with criminal backgrounds including pedophiles, robbers, and domestic violence perpetrators. Notably, one individual had a conviction for committing indecent acts with a minor under 14 years old.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and the sanctuary policies of local cities, stating that “Operation Surge” aims to target major illegal offenders through 2025.
She remarked, “Criminal illegal aliens come to California because they believe Governor Newsom and other sanctuary politicians will let them continue to endanger innocent American families. In 2026, our law enforcement will keep doing what Gavin Newsom has failed to do: restore safety to California.”
Among the detainees was Juan Perez Tello, a 42-year-old Mexican national with a prior conviction for lewd acts involving a child and identified as a registered sex offender. Another individual had four DUI convictions, including one involving injury due to intoxication. The list released by DHS included various offenders charged with crimes like false imprisonment, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Since the start of this operation in June, over 10,000 undocumented immigrants, including suspected murderers and sex offenders, have been arrested across Los Angeles.
Federal officials specifically highlighted ten of the “worst offenders” detained in the LA crackdown, who were found to have committed serious crimes such as rape and kidnapping.
Los Angeles has proposed new legislation in response to the recent surge in ICE operations, including a bill aimed at prohibiting staff from wearing masks, a move some critics view as an attempt to counter what they call aggressive policing tactics.
Governor Newsom, expected to run for president in 2028, has condemned the militarization of urban areas. In a statement made in 2025, he argued against localized ICE actions, claiming they violate constitutional rights and create a climate of fear in neighborhoods and businesses, targeting individuals based on their race or language.
