AG Bondy’s Demand for Immigration Data

On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondy reached out to a California sheriff, requesting details on all prisoners in the county jail who are not U.S. citizens, along with their arrest or conviction records and scheduled release dates.

Bondy set a deadline of 30 days for this information, stating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would utilize “all available means,” including subpoenas and other enforcement approaches, to obtain this list.

She emphasized that illegal immigrants have violated federal immigration laws, compromising the country’s sovereignty. Those who commit additional crimes in the U.S. pose a particularly severe threat to public safety, according to Chad Misell, the DOJ Chief of Staff, who shared this viewpoint on a social media platform.

Misell stated, “It’s time for California county sheriffs to take their oath and keep county citizens safe and secure.”

In her letter, Bondy pointed out that the sheriff holds a crucial role in helping the federal government identify and address illegal immigrants who have committed crimes after entering the country.

Misell’s communication included a message directed at Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, but there was no immediate response from Luna’s office regarding this issue.

City officials have expressed opposition to increasing federal immigration enforcement within California.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) signed an executive directive on July 11, requesting details about immigration enforcement activities in the city, including the identities of individuals involved and reasons for their arrests or detentions.

Additionally, the city and nearby municipalities have taken formal action against the Trump administration’s immigration policies through lawsuits, happening just before the directive was issued.

In response to federal actions, local immigrant advocacy groups have mobilized protests against the president’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.