Community speakers urge end to ICE transfers as sheriff defends OCSD screening and transfers

At a packed Truth Act forum Tuesday, dozens of community members urged the Orange County Board of Supervisors to press the sheriff to stop transferring people to federal immigration authorities, while Sheriff Don Barnes defended the department’s screening practices and presented new custody data.

Residents, advocates and rapid‑response groups used the required annual forum to spotlight what they described as a surge in transfers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to demand greater transparency. Anna Charco of Latino Health Access told the board: “We’re particularly alarmed by the 1200% increase in ICE transfer by the Orange County Sheriff’s from 02/2022 to 02/2023.” Multiple speakers called for the Truth Act forum to be scheduled at times and places that are accessible to working people and for ICE‑transfer data to be posted in advance.

Sheriff Don Barnes responded with an overview of OCSD custody screening and outcomes for calendar year 2024. He said OCSD conducted 733 screenings for inmates who had ICE detainers; 277 screenings met the statutory SB 54 thresholds allowing notification to ICE, and of those 277, 186 individuals were transferred to ICE custody in custodial settings. Barnes emphasized that OCSD “does not engage in immigration enforcement,” that deputies focus on state and local law violations, and that communication with federal partners is necessary in some custodial‑setting cases.

Board members acknowledged a tension people raised between community trust and public safety. Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento reminded the room that the Truth Act forum looks backward — to the previous year’s data — and said the board does not have policy oversight over the sheriff because the sheriff is an independently elected official. Several supervisors asked that OCSD provide data earlier (they suggested a 30‑day window) so staff and community groups can review it before the public hearing.

Speakers from community organizations outlined specific requests: end ICE transfers, expand oversight of the sheriff’s referrals, publish ICE interview‑request data (how many interviews were requested and how many were consented to), and make the forum more accessible. Legal‑clinic and monitoring groups said certain demographics — notably Mexican and Vietnamese residents — were disproportionately referred in 2024 and urged the board to consider budgeted reentry services and additional Padilla‑trained counsel for people facing immigration consequences.

The forum concluded after public comment and the sheriff’s presentation; the board accepted the report as the Truth Act requires. Several supervisors said they will press for better pre‑hearing access to OCSD data and continue conversations about outreach and resources for affected communities.

What happens next: the board filed the Truth Act report for 2024 as required and directed staff to improve information sharing; the forum did not change OCSD policy, and any operational changes would rest with the independently elected sheriff.