Alameda County sheriff says her office will not honor ICE detainers without a criminal warrant

Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez told members of Alameda County’s ad hoc committee that her office will not honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests unless they are accompanied by a criminal warrant for violent offenses, and reiterated that the county jail will not accept people detained solely for immigration matters.

"We don't honor them. We don't communicate with ICE, unless there is a criminal warrant for an individual," Sanchez said, describing the sheriff's office approach as prioritizing community safety while limiting cooperation on civil immigration enforcement. She explained that the jail and local law enforcement will respond to calls for public safety but will not act as immigration enforcement agents.

Sanchez also called on residents to verify reports of sweeping law‑enforcement activity and said the sheriff’s public information officer has been responsive to community inquiries. She described a proactive social‑media practice to counter rumors and urged people who see large law‑enforcement gatherings to call the sheriff's office.

Supervisors followed with questions about statutory reporting requirements related to transfers to federal authorities; Sanchez said her office prepares a report for the Board if transfers occur and that she has not had to present a transfer report since taking office because Santa Rita has not transferred anyone to immigration custody under her watch.

Sheriff Sanchez’s remarks came amid broader testimony from legal advocates and county officials about rapidly changing federal enforcement policies. Committee members asked for follow‑up on whether the jail will publish names of people released from custody to prevent potential ICE targeting; staff said they would follow up with the sheriff for a formal response.

(Reporting note: Sheriff Sanchez’s comments are recorded in the committee transcript and were made publicly during the meeting.)