Tag: immigration and customs enforcement

SANTA MONICA—On July 23, at 2:55 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) announced the federal immigration arrest outside the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility.

“Earlier this morning, SMPD officers arrested an adult male on suspicion of vehicle burglary and possession of burglary tools. He was processed, cited on those charges, and released from SMPD custody. After his release was complete, federal authorities independently took the individual into custody. SMPD officers did not participate in or assist with the federal arrest. There was no coordinated handoff between SMPD and federal authorities,” The SMPD said in a statement. “[The] SMPD does not participate in civil immigration enforcement operations.”

On February 5, 2025, Chief Darrick Jacobs issued the following statement:

…”Consistent with long-standing Santa Monica policy and California law, including Senate Bill 54 (California Law SB54 / The California Values Act (2017) and Title 8 of the United States code, the Santa Monica Police Department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement. We do not conduct immigration sweeps, raids, or detentions based solely on a person’s immigration status, nor do we independently enforce federal immigration laws. Those responsibilities rest with federal authorities.

Public safety depends on trust between the community and law enforcement. When people feel safe contacting the police — whether as victims, witnesses, or individuals seeking help — crimes are reported, investigations move forward, and our city is safer for everyone. Fear of immigration consequences should never prevent someone from calling for help or cooperating with the Santa Monica Police Department.

Let me be clear. While SMPD does not enforce federal immigration laws, we do enforce criminal laws fairly and consistently, without regard to immigration status. Accountability for criminal behavior is essential to public safety, and no one should interpret our policies as tolerance for crime.”

Reports indicate that there is no tracking of the crimes committed by undocumented individuals in California during 2025, as state agencies do not record or report the immigration status of those arrested by local offices.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that there were 4,561 criminal aliens or undocumented individuals who committed crimes on U.S. soil released from California jails rather than turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.

Criminology reports such as those distributed by CATO Institute, reflect that the undocumented population has a lower incarceration rate than U.S. born citizens, and that is due to data limitations imposed by sanctuary cities that do not report the arrests/detention of those who have entered the U.S. illegally.

More information on Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Most wanted fugitives is available online. Some individuals were previously captured and released in the state of California.

By Sharon

STUDIO CITY—On July 3, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Julio César Chávez Jr. on July 2.  According to a DHS press release, Chavez, a Mexican National, had an active warrant for his arrest in Mexico for his involvement in trafficking, ammunition, firearms, and explosives and has a known connection to organized crime.

In an interview with the El Heraldo Newspaper, renowned boxer, Julio César Chávez Sr., defended his son, and asked why he was allowed in the ring for his June 27 fight he lost against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.

“Why did they let him fight? My son has been paying taxes in the United States for three years, and now in Mexico, they’re accusing him of money laundering. Yes, he knows those people, but that doesn’t mean he’s a drug trafficker. Let’s trust the law.”

The younger Chavez did enter the U.S. legally on a B2 Tourist Visa in August of 2023.  That Visa expired in February 2024.

According to ICE, Chavez applied for permanent residency status on April 2, 2024. It was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen who had connections to the Sinaloa Cartel from a prior relationship with the son of now deceased Cartel leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

On December 17, 2024, ICE notified DHS authorities under the Biden Administration of the presence of Chavez, referring to him as a “Safety Threat.”  The Biden Administration Disregarded ICE’s warning indicating that Chavez wasn’t a priority.  The Biden Administration permitted Chavez to reenter the country.

On June 27, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal agents determined that due to fraudulent statement on his application for citizenship, Chavez was in the country illegally, and removable.

The following information came directly from the July 3, DHS press release:

Rap Sheet of Julio César Chávez Jr:

“On January 22, 2012, California Highway Patrol arrested Chavez and charged him with DUI alcohol/drugs and Driving Without a License. On June 23, 2012, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, convicted Chavez for the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and sentenced him to 13 days in jail and 36 months’ probation.

On January 14, 2023, a District Judge issued an arrest warrant for Chavez, for the offense of organized crime for the purpose of committing crimes of weapons trafficking and manufacturing crimes, in the modality of those who participate in clandestinely bringing weapons, ammunition, cartridges, explosives into the country; and those who manufacture weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives without the corresponding permit.

On January 7, 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested Chavez and charged him with Illegal Possession of Any Assault Weapon and Manufacture or Import Short Barreled Rifle. The court convicted Chavez of these charges.”

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On May 9, Santa Monica Mayor, Lana Negrete and the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Chief, Ramon Batista have each made statements that are posted on their prospective websites reaffirming that they will not be assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration raids.

“…In 2016, the Santa Monica City Council adopted a resolution reaffirming our commitment to protecting all residents, regardless of immigration status. We reaffirmed this in December 2024 and remain steadfast in our position.

Santa Monica does not and will not assist federal immigration authorities in enforcing immigration laws. The city follows California State Law SB54 / The California Values Act (2017) and will only cooperate with federal immigration enforcement when an individual has been arrested for criminal activity. 

Since the beginning of this year, the city has been actively working with partners including the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, civil rights organizations, legal aid attorneys, and immigration advocates to support our most vulnerable residents.

We encourage everyone to know their rights. You can find information and resources on LA County’s Office of Immigrant Affairs page or links to other local and federal resources on our Safe at Home page….”— Mayor Lana Negrete, City of Santa Monica

Chief Ramon Batista posted his statement on his X social media page, a copy of which may be found here.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed an emergency motion in an attempt to block the Commander in Chief from deploying the U.S. military to assist federal agents in crowd control as they execute search warrants, and arrest/detain those who have committed crimes, are in the country illegally, or are harboring criminal aliens on their property.


“The federal government is now turning the military against American citizens. Sending trained warfighters onto the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy. Donald Trump is behaving like a tyrant, not a President. We ask the court to immediately block these unlawful actions.”

“The President is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate and quiet those who disagree with him. It’s not just immoral — It’s illegal and dangerous. Local law enforcement, not the military, enforces the law within our borders. The President continues to inflame tensions and antagonize communities. We’re asking the court to immediately block the Trump Administration from ordering the military or federalized national guard from patrolling our communities or otherwise engaging in general law enforcement activities beyond federal property.”—Governor Gavin Newsom

California Attorney General, Rob Bonta made the following statements accompanied by a live stream video which is posted on the AG’s X social media page.

“We’re asking for a court order to halt the Trump Admin from using the military and the federalized National guard to patrol our communities.

The President is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate those who disagree with him. It’s illegal and dangerous. We’re fighting to stop him.”

AG Bonta continued. @CAGovernor and I are suing to put a stop to President Trump’s unlawful, unprecedented order calling federalized National Guard forces into Los Angeles.

The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends. This is an abuse of power and not one to be taken lightly. —AG Bonta

It was on June 7, that cinder rocks and fireworks were thrown at ICE Agents while executing warrants on non-citizens who have committed crimes on U.S. soil. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the perpetrators arrest.

According to the most recent statistics (2019-2023) Migration Policy Institute Los Angeles County led the state with 3,285,200 immigrants. 7.1 percent of all immigrants worldwide come through LA County.

In addition the North American Community Hub lists LA County as the Second only to New York City, New York for the highest homeless rate in the United States.

By Sharon