LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday that his department is legally obligated to comply with federal judicial warrants and has “no choice” but to transfer certain individuals in county custody to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Speaking at a press conference at the Hall of Justice, Luna responded to public concerns following a Los Angeles Times report that revealed the sheriff’s department transferred 20 inmates to ICE custody in May and June. Luna emphasized that these transfers were made in response to federal warrants signed by judges and involved individuals facing serious criminal charges.
“It’s a federal judicial warrant signed by a judge. There’s no choice,” Luna said. “That means somebody has gone before a judge to get an arrest warrant for them.”…