Justice Department Requests Data on Criminal Illegal Immigrants in California Jails

The department said those who commit crimes after entering the country unlawfully ’show that they pose a heightened risk to our nation’s safety and security.’

An El Cajon police officer books a man into the San Diego County Jail on April 24, 2020, in San Diego, Calif. Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

The Department of Justice on July 17 requested data on incarcerated illegal immigrants from sheriffs in multiple major California counties, including reasons for arrests or convictions and scheduled release dates.

The Justice Department said in a news release that it was requesting the information to help federal immigration authorities in fast-tracking the deportation of illegal immigrants who committed crimes after entering the United States.