Feds Target Sanctuary City Jails in California with New Immigration Enforcement Push

In Southern California, the federal government is once again zeroing in on local jails as part of its push to ramp up immigration enforcement—this time under a new initiative called Operation Guardian Angel.

As reported by the Miami Herald, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, recently appointed to oversee the Central District of California, announced the pilot program this week, describing it as a direct response to what he calls "obstruction" by sanctuary state policies.

The goal? To identify people with criminal histories who were previously deported but have returned to the U.S.—and charge them with illegal reentry, a federal offense. The program focuses its efforts in county jails and state prisons, where California laws have limited cooperation with immigration authorities in recent years.

"Under the Trump Administration we will not allow sanctuary jurisdictions to stand in the way of keeping the American People safe," Essayli posted on X. His office has created a specialized team to comb through jail records in real time to find deported individuals now in custody. Those flagged for illegal reentry will be charged and potentially transferred to federal custody.

The practice of prosecuting illegal reentry isn't new—it saw widespread use under both the Bush and Obama administrations. But enforcement tapered off in recent years as California and other states implemented policies to limit local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. That included a 2018 California law ending 287(g) agreements, which had allowed jail officers to act as immigration screeners—a move that immigration advocates said helped restore community trust and reduce unnecessary deportations for minor infractions.

State officials argue they still cooperate with federal authorities, within reason. For example, prison officials can notify immigration agents and transfer inmates with certain felony or high-level misdemeanor convictions. However, they're prohibited from holding people past their release date solely for immigration purposes unless a federal warrant is issued.

Essayli's approach leans heavily on federal warrants and prosecutorial power rather than on local police partnerships. His office says it has already charged hundreds of individuals with illegal reentry this year, though the pace of arrests since the program's launch has actually slowed slightly, the Herald reported.

Still, experts warned the Miami-based publication that enforcement ambitions may outpace the system's ability to process, prosecute, and detain those caught in the sweep.