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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A new study by UCLA and UC Berkeley is shedding new light on the ICE enforcement surge across Southern California.
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Newly released immigration enforcement data from ICE shows a surge in deportations in California since the beginning of President Trump’s second term.
Graeme Blair authored the report and is part of UCLA’s Deportation Data Project.
“What we saw is that just a really extraordinary number of people have been arrested, detained and many of them ultimately deported from the United States,” Blair said.
Nearly 15,000 people were arrested and deported between January 2025 and August 2026.
The arrests took place in and around Southern California including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The Deportation Data Project found most enforcement was carried out during raids, courthouse arrests and at regular ICE check-ins.
Blair said, “That means that just a huge number of people, thousands and thousands have been arrested that have no prior connection to the criminal justice system and that’s a huge change.”
In a post on X, Governor Newsom slammed reports that ICE has launched a major 45-day enforcement operation across California.
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He wrote, “California will stand up for our communities and hold federal agents accountable.”
The Department of Homeland Security denies ramping up enforcement.
Sec. Markwayne Mullin said, “Regardless if it’s Sunday, regardless if it’s Monday, regardless if it’s Christmas, regardless if it’s Thanksgiving, regardless if it’s on a Saturday; we are pursuing the worse of the worse every day. There is no ramp up. There is no draw down. We are doing our job.”
Local immigration groups like CHIRLA called the data shocking and sad but a reality.
They urged immigrant communities to stay vigilant.
CHIRLA Director of Policy Jeannette Zanipatin said, “What I would say is create a safety plan. If you do have an appointment make sure somebody knows that you’re going to the appointment. Have a contingency plan if they don’t hear from you.”
“At the end of the day, community is going to save community. Or as we say in Spanish, ‘El pueblo salva el pueblo'”.
Blair said ICE is very non-transparent so we won’t know if high levels of immigration enforcement continue until they release more data.
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