Orange County officials say federal privacy rules limit what jail staff can disclose about ICE detainees; board asks for more public guidance

Orange County officials told the Board of County Commissioners on April 22 that federal privacy rules and the county's agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) limit what jail staff can disclose about detainees held on immigration warrants. Corrections and county legal staff said the county is collecting operational data, pursuing higher per-diem reimbursement and planning more public information in multiple languages, while urging caution about what the jail may formally tell callers.

The briefing was led by Deputy County Administrator and Director of Public Safety Danny Banks and Corrections Chief Luis Quinones, with legal context provided by county attorney staff (Scott Chevenell/Chabineau). They said federal regulations, including 8 C.F.R. —6236.6 and exemptions the federal government has invoked under 5 U.S.C. —552(b)(6), restrict disclosure of identifying information about persons held on ICE warrants. County presenters said the county's memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ICE also requires ICE approval for release of MOA-related information.

Why it matters: Commissioners pressed staff for more tools to help families locate detained loved ones and for clear, multilingual "know your rights" materials in the jail. Public commenters and commissioners described fear in immigrant communities, and multiple members of the commission asked that the county develop outreach materials and a clearer public map of what is and is not disclosable.

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