The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking to calm concerns after reports that federal immigration agents have been seen near the Santa Ana Jail and Orange County Jail facilities. In a statement released Monday, Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez emphasized that the department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations and is not coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on local immigration raids or arrests.
According to the department, federal immigration agents have increasingly been reported near jails and detention facilities throughout California. Chief Rodriguez stressed that the presence of ICE agents near local jails should not be viewed as evidence of cooperation between the Santa Ana Police Department and federal immigration authorities.
“The Santa Ana Police Department does not coordinate with federal immigration regarding arrest or release times, except when state law requires it,” Rodriguez stated.
What Information Must California Police Share?
One of the more confusing aspects of California’s immigration laws is that local agencies continue to share certain information with state and federal databases even while state law limits direct cooperation with ICE…