California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed that his state “cooperates” with federal immigration authorities, despite its sanctuary policies and years of hostile rhetoric toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The remarks from Newsom come just months after violent anti-ICE riots rocked California.
Newsom made the assertion during an interview with Daily Wire Editor Ben Shapiro, who pressed the governor on California’s sanctuary status and his repeated attacks on ICE.
Most recently, Newsom’s press office suggested that the shooting of a woman who drove her car toward an ICE agent in Minneapolis amounted to “state-sponsored terrorism.”
“We work very directly with ICE as it relates to [California prisons],” Newsom said.
“California has cooperated with more ICE transfers than probably any other state in the country.
“And I’ve vetoed multiple pieces of legislation that have come from my legislature to stop the ability for the state of California to do that.
“So when it comes to the issues of violent criminals, when it comes to felons, people that are being released from the largest state system in the United States of America, California cooperates with ICE,” he added.
WATCH:
Data Undercuts Newsom’s Claims
Newsom told Shapiro that California prisons had transferred 10,000 illegal alien felons to ICE.
However, data from his time as governor complicate that claim.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, from October 1, 2022, to February 6, 2025, 52 percent of all ICE detainers nationwide, requests asking local law enforcement to hold illegal aliens arrested for crimes, were issued in California.
That amounted to more than 13,000 detainers, far exceeding the next highest total of 2,946 in Illinois.
Despite Newsom’s insistence that violent offenders are prioritized, law enforcement agencies in California released at least 29 illegal aliens facing homicide charges or convictions during that same period. Local law enforcement officials have repeatedly cited state and local sanctuary policies as barriers preventing cooperation with ICE after arrests.
Walkback on “Terrorism” Rhetoric
During the interview, Newsom conceded that criticism of his press office’s rhetoric toward ICE was “fair” and distanced himself from calls by fellow Democrats to abolish the agency entirely.
His admission followed Shapiro’s rebuke that accusing ICE of terrorism “makes our politics worse” and that “our ICE officers are obviously not terrorists.”
Nevertheless, after the Minneapolis shooting, Newsom claimed ICE was acting as President Donald Trump’s “personal police force” and had “rampaged” across the country.
STATE. SPONSORED. TERRORISM.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) January 8, 2026
“His administration has driven extremism and cruelty while discarding basic safeguards and accountability,” Newsom said.
“His reckless crackdown must end.”
For almost a year, Donald Trump's personal police force has rampaged across America.
His administration has driven extremism and cruelty while discarding basic safeguards and accountability.
Now, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen is dead.
Donald Trump owns this. His deliberate…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 7, 2026
Mask Ban and Riot Fallout
In September, Newsom signed legislation designed to bar ICE officers from wearing masks during operations, even as agents have faced rising harassment, assaults, and violent threats.
The bill followed violent riots in Los Angeles, where law enforcement officers were attacked and vehicles were burned after ICE initiated enforcement operations.
The unrest prompted President Trump to deploy the National Guard to protect federal personnel and facilities.
Newsom claimed the federal response was “purposefully inflammatory” and would “erode public trust.”
The riots ultimately caused more than $30 million in damage, including over $1.4 million in property destruction.
The episode underscored the ongoing tension between California’s sanctuary framework and the governor’s claims of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
READ MORE – Top Federal Prosecutor: Gavin Newsom Is the ‘King of Fraud’
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