Operation Guardian Angel transfers 362 immigrants to federal custody

Federal authorities have transferred 362 criminal undocumented immigrants from county jails to federal custody across seven California counties as part of Operation Guardian Angel. Launched in May 2025, the initiative aims to bypass California’s sanctuary state laws, such as the California Values Act (SB 54), which limits local cooperation with federal immigration officials.

The operation functions by securing federal arrest warrants for non-citizens recently apprehended by local law enforcement. Once these warrants are issued, county jails are legally required to hand the individuals over to federal custody. Since the program's inception, 769 arrest warrants have been issued.

Of the 362 defendants transferred, 347 face federal charges for illegally re-entering the United States following a prior removal. Other charges include unlawful firearm possession by a felon or non-citizen, drug trafficking, and crimes of violence. The affected areas include the Central District of California, covering counties such as Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.