Noem Reiterates Demands on California to Cooperate With ICE

Since 2019, the state has coordinated the transfer of more than 12,000 criminal illegal aliens, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem holds a news conference surrounded by evidence of drug seizures at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, accompanied by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks (L) and Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations at Customs and Border Protection Diane J. Sabatino (R) in Otay Mesa, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2026. Carlos A. Moreno/Getty Images

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on her demands that California Gov. Gavin Newsom increase cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a news conference on Feb. 12 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry near San Diego.

ICE has lodged detainers on more than 33,000 criminal illegal immigrants in California’s custody, but the state has released 4,500 of them back onto the streets, Noem said.