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SLO County Sheriff Parkinson to explain his office’s interactions with ICE

January 26, 2026

Sheriff Ian Parkinson

By KAREN VELIE

While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased operations in San Luis Obispo County, a small group of people have accused local law enforcement of violating state laws in order to assist ICE agents.

On Tuesday, the SLO County Board of Supervisors will provide a forum for Sheriff Ian Parkinson to explain his office’s interactions with ICE. Parkinson also plans to clear up misinformation regarding warrants and obstructing law enforcement.

“Our responsibility is to navigate and comply with both federal and California law, even when those laws create narrow requirements for local agencies,” according to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office. “The sheriff’s office does not invite or facilitate civil immigration enforcement actions in the community. Our role is to protect the community.”

Because of the Biden administration’s open border policy, federal immigration enforcement was nearly obsolete during the past four years.

Statistics regarding ICE requests to the SLO County Jail in 2024 and 2025:

  • ICE made 111 detainer requests from Sept. 2024 to Dec. 2024, none were complied with
  • One federal warrant in 2024, one person turned over to U.S. Marshals
  • Ice made 287 detainer requests in 2025, 83 were complied with
  • There were 19 federal warrants issued in 2025
  • 69 inmates were released to ICE in 2025

The SLO County Sheriff’s Office does not enforce federal immigration law, does not conduct deportations, does not request immigration status, and does not conduct immigration sweeps.

Because of sanctuary state laws, jail staff is only able to hand inmates over to ICE agents who have been convicted of a qualifying offense.

Current SLO County Jail undocumented immigrant inmates with qualifying charges:

  • Murder, mayhem, arson – three
  • Sex crimes – five
  • Assault – three
  • Domestic violence – five
  • Drug crimes – five
  • Felony DUI – four
  • Robbery, theft – 12

Jail staff is not permitted to release undocumented inmates charged with lesser crimes to ICE. Instead, ICE agents monitor jail fingerprint records for arrests of undocumented immigrants with a history of deportations. On the morning of a suspect’s release, ICE agents wait in the lobby with plans to take the suspect into custody.

In December, a group of protestors berated federal agents and obstructed the arrest of an inmate in the jail lobby. The protesters taunted the ICE agents calling them names, cornering them and yelling at an inmate to flee back into the jail.

The sheriff’s office reminds protesters it is against the law to obstruct federal agents from enforcing immigration laws and to harbor or shield undocumented immigrants.

In addition, ICE agents have the authority to arrest people without a warrant if they believe the suspect has violated a federal law or regulation.

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All law agencies should work with ICE and vice versa. Just as they do with other law enforcement agencies. The problem is this version that is a shit show. ICE at the Superbowl. And the Olympics in Italy. Really? Shouldn’t the resource dollars and agents spend the days and weeks going after illegals and drug dealers instead of showing off?

Pull your head out and tell me why ICE should go to Italy while gangsters, illegals and drug dealers watches the Superbowl and Olympics on TV.


-13

So let me get this right. There are 37 criminal aliens accused of serious offenses who are not being turned over to Ice? Are they waiting trial or will they be released into Ice custody? A lot of questions here. This process by which this Sheriff has in place puts the public at further risk. I hope that this stops and we get back to pactices that put public safety as the number one priority. I hope that the legislation being proposed in Washington will succeed and we can get rid of Sanctuary jurisdictions for good and for all! Light up the phones in Washington and demand this legislation be passed. The bill is sponsored by Lindsey Graham. It hits the Senate tomorrow.


28

The Sheriff is handcuffed by this states ensures attempts to ignore federal supremecy law.


WE support OUR elected Sheriff that is trying to KEEP US SAFE with two hands tied behind his back, while the loud mouthed extreme minority continue to champion for the CRIMINAL ILLEGAL INVADERS amongst us.


#NEVERVoteDemoNcratAgain


#VoteRepublican2026 (for a needed SUPER MAJORITY to allow for E.O.’s to be codified into law for a better America)


31

We need an edit button!


Edit’


The Sheriff is handcuffed by this states ENDLESS…


16

There used to be a edit function but like many things during Covid it went away to never return. Kidding of course about the Covid part put the edit function did go away.


4

I love how left leaning independents and the radical left is suddenly pro 2nd amendment rights. I AM ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT!!!!!


But I know it will be short lived and will fade as soon as it doesn’t support their narrative.


39

Also interesting how all the MAGA fans called Kyle Rittenhouse a hero for bringing a rifle to a protest and shooting two people, but did a massive 180 when a VA nurse keeps his permitted firearm holstered at another protest. Not to mention all the criminals who brought firearms to the J6 assault on the Capitol got a big old pardon.


-6

Simple. Identify each of these protesters by way of facial recognition and send the illegals to their homes.


51

Shouldn’t we also establish the difference between a protester and a rioter?


36

A protestor brings a sign, a rioter brings a loaded gun.


5

Perhaps if Sheriffs and Police Chiefs showed more diligence in arresting “protesters” that cross the line into interfering with federal authorities doing their jobs, there might be less violence towards federal officers that leads to shooting incidents? Maybe protecting the rights and safety of citizens and federal officers should take precedence over protecting illegals?


But I guess this ain’t happening while libs control local enforcement agency budgets…


53

The law-abiding citizens of this county are behind you, Sheriff! Just as the civil unrest in Minnesota has more to do with an attempt to cover up financial crimes by politicians than worries that ICE is going to knock on every door in every neighborhood without warrants or probable cause, I have to wonder if another SLO scandal is brewing just under the surface. The number of NGOs operating in this county for the homeless, affordable housing, etc makes you wonder if some of these so-called local protesters are worried that ICE deporting their favorite customers is going to make it apparent to everyone that they have been double or triple-dipping in the taxpayer’s cookie jar??


84

This comment is a stinky pile of nonsense.


-86

If someone is still a DemoNcrat, they’re anti-American.


23

As an independent, if someone is still a republican, they support pedophiles, felons and rapists.


-64

Independently low-info (IQ).


You nailed the requirements. Kudos! (golf clap)


“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” -Ronald Reagan, 1964


13

Great write up, thanks! This shows 37 people off our streets, making is safer for all. How anyone can defend these criminals is beyond me. If they were legal residents, would the protesters still be protecting them? I pray that none of their family members become the next victim!


83

  • Murder, mayhem, arson – three

  • Sex crimes – five

  • Assault – three

  • Domestic violence – five

  • Drug crimes – five

  • Felony DUI – four

  • Robbery, theft – 12


If you are defending this… you should also be locked up…


115

In black and white for the Libocrats that have any reading comprehension skills:


“It’s a crime to enter the country illegally under Title 8 United States Code 1325, and it’s really pathetic that any member of Congress [doesn’t] understand what the law says.” – Tom Homan, Border Czar


18 U.S.C. § 111 — Interfere, impede, or assault an ICE officer and you WILL be arrested.


WE THE PEOPLE, in the current vast majority, voted for this. ALL OF THIS!


51

You are condoning the execution of Americans and denying the people’s right to the Second Amendment and Fourth Amendment. As an independent, it is clear you are what is wrong with the USA at this point.


-60

I love how left leaning independents and the radical left is suddenly pro 2nd amendment rights. I AM ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT!!!!!


But I know it will be short lived and will fade as soon as it doesn’t support their narrative.


11

It is a second amendment right to bear arms while wrestling cops?


Would you consider an SUV you are using as a deadly weapon against the cops fulfilling their lawful duty to be protected as a firearm by the second amendment?


15

(shooting clock expired)


@George Dunn wins the battle


#NEVERVoteDemoNcratAgain


#VoteRepublican2026 (for a needed SUPER MAJORITY to allow for E.O.’s to be codified into law for a better America)


-2

(face palm)


That is some serious mental gymnastics.


Not surprising, considering the source.


This is so simple, OBEY THE RULE OF LAW!


5