California, Maryland lead U.S. jails in declining ICE detainers

Recent data from the Center for Immigration Studies reveals that California is the leading state in declining ICE detainer requests, with over 13,000 of the 22,283 total refusals nationwide since fiscal year 2023. This trend is attributed to California's stringent sanctuary laws, which significantly limit local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Maryland ranks tenth, with 384 declined detainers, including cases involving individuals charged with serious offenses like murder. Other states such as Illinois, Virginia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts also feature prominently in declining ICE detainers, reflecting a broader resistance to federal immigration enforcement. The ongoing debate over these policies highlights tensions between state and federal approaches to immigration enforcement, particularly in the context of public safety and community relations. Advocates for stricter enforcement argue that such refusals compromise safety, while opponents assert they protect vulnerable populations from aggressive immigration tactics.