San Francisco and San Diego, California’s largest sanctuary cities, are facing federal scrutiny over allegations that local authorities impeded ICE efforts, allowing some criminal immigrants to escape custody, according to the California Post.
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee sent four significant letters seeking records from both cities’ police and sheriff departments. This move aligns with President Trump’s intensified focus on sanctuary cities during his second term.
San Francisco, known for its liberal stance, may be scrutinized more closely, especially given its long-standing sanctuary policies dating back to an ordinance established in 1989.
In a letter addressed to San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lue, Representatives Jim Jordan and Tom McClintock criticized local law enforcement for not notifying federal immigration officials about detainees related to “criminal aliens.” They requested documentation from as far back as early 2024.
The lawmakers stated, “San Francisco’s illegal alien policy ensures that dangerous criminals are either released from custody or not arrested at all, thereby allowing them to reoffend.”
The letter addressed to Sheriff Paul Miyamoto was even sharper, accusing him of defending the city’s sanctuary policy despite the potential dangers it poses.
Miyamoto has previously claimed his office accepted only one out of “thousands of detention requests” from ICE. The committee also suggested that his office obstructed federal inquiries regarding David DePaap, the man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their home in 2022.
In a pointed remark, the lawmakers emphasized that while Miyamoto asserted the sanctuary laws were meant to ensure justice, they actually jeopardize community safety.
The letter requested all relevant policies regarding the sheriff’s cooperation with ICE, records of communications concerning non-U.S. nationals, and details on ICE detention requests dating back to 2020.
Both the police chief and sheriff were also asked to provide any immigration-related communications with Mayor Daniel Lurie, including exchanges tied to a conversation with Trump in late 2025 that reportedly influenced the cessation of National Guard deployment in the Bay Area.
San Diego is also facing pressure. The committee sent a request to Police Chief Scott Wall, emphasizing that the department’s policy prohibits officers from inquiring about immigration status or assisting with immigration arrests.
The lawmakers noted that one-quarter of San Diego’s population is foreign-born, situated just miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. They also referenced the city council’s “Due Process and Safety Ordinance,” which mandates a judicial warrant before federal agents can access private property.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez also received requests for records, particularly regarding a recent ordinance that restricts county law enforcement from aiding ICE in deportation efforts. Martinez has stated that the sheriff’s office adheres to state law, asserting that county supervisors have no authority over sheriff’s policies.
The committee has also brought up incidents cited by ICE, including the tragic passing of an 11-year-old boy, Aiden Antonio Torres de Paz, who was allegedly killed by a Mexican national while playing soccer.
Education around these policies continues—lawmakers noted that a number of illegal immigrants previously denied detention had charges ranging from serious bodily harm to firearm-related offenses.
Recent reports indicate that California’s sanctuary measures have led to the release of 4,561 criminal illegal immigrants over the last year, with charges varying from murder to robbery.
This scrutiny of sanctuary cities forms part of a larger Republican strategy to challenge such policies during Trump’s administration. Similar inquiries have been noted in other major cities, including New York, Boston, and Chicago.
The deadline for these agencies to respond is set for June 16th.
