# ICE intensifies California enforcement and data sharing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ice-immigration-enforcement-in-california > Updated: 2026-10-26T02:10:29.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 11. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified its ‘Operation Safe California’ through new data-sharing protocols and expanded regional activity. A pact with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now allows ICE to cross-reference passenger data under the ‘Safe Flight Final Rule,’ a method that has reportedly detected over 1,200 individuals across 15 airport terminals. Enforcement activity has surged in Southern California. A study by the Deportation Data Project indicates that Los Angeles has served as a testing ground for new strategies, with arrests in non-traditional locations—such as courtrooms, retail parking lots, and USCIS appointments—rising significantly. Data shows arrests of individuals without criminal convictions increased by more than 3,400% during a June 2025 peak. Additionally, California Attorney General Rob Bonta clarified that ICE agents may enter certain public-access areas on university campuses, such as plazas and sidewalks, without a judicial warrant. In October 2026, ICE launched a 45-day enforcement surge targeting both individuals with and without criminal records, expanding from San Diego through the Central Valley and the Bay Area. Recent activity includes targeted detainments in Redwood City and East Palo Alto. In Santa Cruz, ICE agents attempted an unannounced enforcement action at the county jail, though they departed without making any detentions. Meanwhile, in Santa Ana, local officials confirmed that no criminal charges will be filed against two activists arrested following reports from off-duty federal agents, an incident critics described as an attempt to intimidate those monitoring ICE activities. ## Claims - ICE has launched a 45-day enforcement operation in California titled ‘Operation Safe California’. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Agents have reportedly been instructed to arrest any undocumented immigrants they encounter, regardless of criminal history. (corroborated by 4 sources) - California Governor Gavin Newsom described the enforcement surge as a ‘campaign of fear’ intended to terrorize communities. (corroborated by 3 sources) - ICE arrested Milton Ramos-Rodriguez in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Milton Ramos-Rodriguez is a citizen of El Salvador with a prior voluntary manslaughter conviction. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Advocates report that at least 100 people have been detained in the San Joaquin Valley in recent days. (corroborated by 2 sources) - San Francisco plans to direct $1.8 million in supplemental funding toward immigrant legal defense. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Bay Area Habeas Network will receive $125,000 from the funding. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Rapid Response Network of Kern reported 61 individuals were detained on a single Tuesday. (single source) - California recently approved 21 state laws to restrict ICE operations, including prohibitions on acting unmasked or without identification. (single source) - ICE expanded its ability to locate immigrants through a data-sharing pact with the TSA. (single source) - The data-sharing scheme has detected over 1,200 people across at least 15 airport terminals. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: ICE agents conduct unannounced enforcement at Santa Cruz County Jail ICE agents arrived at the Santa Cruz Main Jail for enforcement activity without prior warning to the Sheriff’s Office, leaving without making any detentions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-agents-conduct-unannounced-enforcement-at-santa-cruz-county-jail ### 2026-10-25: ICE immigration raids reported in Riverside and Central California ICE raids in Riverside County and Central California have led to dozens of detentions, sparking community fear and criticism from religious leaders regarding the impact on families and schools. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-immigration-raids-reported-in-riverside-and-central-california ### 2026-10-25: ICE detainments and observer arrests spark activity in California ICE conducted targeted detainments in Redwood City and East Palo Alto, while prosecutors declined to charge two activists arrested by Santa Ana police for observing federal agents. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-detainments-and-observer-arrests-spark-activity-in-california ### 2026-10-22: ICE enforcement operations increase in California Immigration attorneys and California officials report a surge in aggressive ICE enforcement actions, including reports of violence and the wrongful detention of a U.S. citizen student. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-enforcement-operations-increase-in-california ### 2026-10-19: San Francisco to fund $1.8 million for immigrant legal defense San Francisco is allocating $1.8 million for immigrant legal services following a surge in aggressive ICE arrests and enforcement actions across the Bay Area. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-enforcement-increases-in-san-diego-and-san-francisco ### 2026-10-17: ICE enforcement surges in Southern California, study finds A UCLA study reveals a massive surge in ICE arrests in Southern California, targeting individuals in courts and residential areas, while legal guidelines clarify agents' access to public university spaces. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-enforcement-surges-in-southern-california-study-finds ### 2026-10-14: Santa Maria protests planned following ICE enforcement surge Protests are planned in Santa Maria, California, following a surge in ICE enforcement activities that has reportedly led to over 100 detentions and the separation of local families. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-maria-protests-planned-following-ice-enforcement-surge ### 2026-10-14: ICE intensifies immigration enforcement via TSA data sharing and California operations ICE is intensifying immigration enforcement through a new TSA data-sharing pact and a 45-day operation in California targeting undocumented immigrants in sanctuary jurisdictions. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-expands-immigration-enforcement-through-airport-data-sharing-and-california-operations ### 2026-10-13: ICE conducts raids at construction sites in Central Valley ICE has conducted raids at Lennar construction sites in Fresno and Madera counties, detaining workers amid a surge in immigration enforcement and record detention numbers across California. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-conducts-raids-at-construction-sites-in-central-valley ### 2026-10-12: ICE targets 3,000 daily arrests amid California surge ICE is reportedly targeting 3,000 daily arrests, including a 45-day surge operation in California that has drawn criticism from advocacy groups regarding enforcement tactics and community impact. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-targets-3000-daily-arrests-amid-california-surge ### 2026-10-08: ICE launches 45-day ‘Operation Safe California’ enforcement surge ICE has launched ‘Operation Safe California,’ a 45-day immigration enforcement surge. The operation has led to widespread arrests across the state, sparking criticism from Governor Newsom and local communities. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-operations-increase-in-californias-central-valley --- Cite as: ICE intensifies California enforcement and data sharing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ice-immigration-enforcement-in-california