Sanctuary policies in California face renewed criticism after federal agents arrested nine convicted sex offenders in Los Angeles. The policies limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which says local officials released thousands of criminal migrants instead of honoring federal detainers.
ICE confirmed Wednesday that all nine offenders were taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation. The agency stated the individuals, each convicted of sex crimes, “will face justice for their crimes and will be removed from the United States, never to terrorize our communities again.” Since Jan. 20, 2025, ICE reported California declined to honor 4,561 immigration detainers on criminal illegal immigrants.
ICE currently lists more than 33,000 active detainers across California facilities. “ICE isn’t going to stand idly by while criminal illegal alien sex offenders roam Los Angeles or any other community,” ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said. “We’re here to enforce the law so we can protect our families, friends and neighbors – and by taking child rapists and other sexual predators like these nine off the streets, we can prevent recidivism and make an immediate difference in public safety.”
Among those arrested was Juan Parra Gomez, 39, sentenced to two years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a child. ICE said local authorities released him before a detainer could be lodged. Agents later arrested him in the community. Lucas Rendon-Hernandez, 37, convicted of arranging to meet with a child, was also released despite a detainer request.
Other offenders arrested include Jose Montero Pena, Amadeo Castellanos-Urbano, Andres Sanchez Ortiz, Feliciano Olivares, Daniel Bran Rivas, and Luis Alfonso Juarez. ICE urged state and local officials to cooperate with federal law enforcement to remove dangerous offenders from communities.
