Trump Admin to Deport Illegal Migrants Instead of Returning Them to California for Prosecution
CALIFORNIA — The Trump administration has begun refusing to hand over illegal migrant criminals to California for prosecution, citing the state’s sanctuary policies and concerns that offenders could be released before being returned to federal custody.
Instead, federal officials are opting to deport these individuals directly, even when they face pending criminal charges in California — a move that has triggered legal and political tension between the federal government and state leaders.
The policy came to light after a Chinese national, arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in Monterey Park, was denied transfer to local prosecutors. Instead, U.S. Border Patrol kept him in custody and sent him back to China, according to the New York Post.
Border Patrol Chief: “We’re Exporting Criminal Imports”
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, based in California’s El Centro sector, confirmed that due to sanctuary policies, officials are avoiding local handoffs altogether.
“This criminal illegal alien will be released back into the country,” Bovino said. “We are now exporting this criminal import back to his home country.”
Bovino cited a second case involving a Salvadoran national who had “multiple felony theft convictions” and was captured in Los Angeles. Instead of honoring the existing warrant in California courts, the federal government deported him directly to El Salvador.
“Instead of starring in Fast and Felonious: Grand Theft L.A., the only ride he’s taking is in the back of our transport van straight to a detention facility,” Bovino said.
California DA Pushes Back
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who was elected on a tough-on-crime platform, disputed the Trump administration’s position.
“If they don’t have faith that we can do our job, I would say they should have that faith,” Hochman said in an interview with Fox News. “Once they’ve served their time, they’ll be turned immediately over to the federal officials.”
But Trump officials, including his border czar Tom Homan, remain unconvinced.
“If someone wants someone back into custody to prosecute them, they need to do a writ guaranteeing us that when they’re done, they’ll give them back to us,” Homan said.
Only Violent Offenders Will Be Handed Over
According to internal DHS policy, only migrants charged with the most violent crimes — such as murder or aggravated assault — will be returned to California authorities for prosecution.
In all other cases, federal agents will skip state-level prosecution entirely and prioritize rapid deportation.
The decision comes amid growing national debate over immigration enforcement, federalism, and the limits of “sanctuary city” laws, particularly in California.
Trump Suing LA Over Sanctuary Policies
In a related move, the Trump administration this week filed suit against Los Angeles and its mayor, accusing the city of “deliberately impeding” federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit says the city’s sanctuary laws “intentionally discriminate” against federal officers.
That legal action followed violent anti-ICE riots in Paramount last month, where protests turned destructive after agents conducted operations in the city. In response, President Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to restore order.
Do you agree with the federal government’s decision to bypass California prosecutors? Should local sanctuary policies affect federal immigration enforcement? Share your thoughts with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com — where national policy meets real-life impact.
