The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a sharp warning after revealing that Illinois officials, led by Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker, have released more than 1,700 dangerous criminal illegal aliens back into local communities.
Illinois officials ignored immigration detainers for months, DHS revealed.
In a strongly worded press release, DHS said Illinois officials have repeatedly refused to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Instead, the state’s Democrat leadership gave the green light for violent offenders to walk free.
“We are calling on Governor Pritzker and his administration to stop this dangerous derangement and commit to honoring the ICE arrest detainers of the more than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens in Illinois’ custody,” DHS said in a statement.
According to DHS, 1,768 criminal illegal aliens have been released in Illinois since January 20, 2025, despite detainers lodged by ICE requesting they be held for federal custody.
The agency said the crimes committed by those released include homicide, assault, burglary, robbery, dangerous drug offenses, weapons offenses, and sexual offenses.
More Than 4,000 Criminal Aliens Still in State Custody
DHS reported that 4,015 non-citizens currently sit in Illinois correctional facilities, most with convictions for serious or violent crimes.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned Illinois’s sanctuary policies in blunt terms:
“Governor Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians are releasing murderers, pedophiles, and kidnappers back into our neighborhoods and putting American lives at risk.”
McLaughlin continued:
“It is common sense.
“Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans.”
Sanctuary States Continue Refusing Cooperation
The conflict between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration authorities has escalated throughout 2025. ICE said it has repeatedly demanded cooperation from California, New York, and Illinois to “keep criminals off the streets.”
In September, ICE warned it would work with the Department of Justice and other agencies to “pursue all appropriate measures” against states obstructing the apprehension and removal of criminal aliens.
Illinois and New York responded only to reiterate their refusal to honor ICE detainers, while California provided no response, according to ICE.
What ICE Detainers Do — and Why DHS Says They Matter
ICE issues detainers asking local law enforcement to hold individuals up to 48 hours after their scheduled release.
The process allows federal officers to assume custody in a controlled environment.
ICE notes that detainers are only issued after agents have already determined probable cause that an individual is removable, typically because of felony convictions or significant criminal histories, including homicide, sexual assault, human trafficking, and major drug crimes.
The agency argues that ignoring detainers forces ICE officers to make arrests “at-large,” increasing risks for both the public and law enforcement.
DHS Releases Mugshots of “Worst of the Worst”
Monday’s press release included nine mug shots of previously released criminal aliens described as “the worst of the worst.”
DHS said each of the nine has now been either re-apprehended by ICE or removed from the United States.
The standoff between the Trump administration and sanctuary states is expected to intensify as DHS expands targeted enforcement operations and increases public pressure on states refusing to honor federal detainers.
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