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California’s sanctuary laws are once again under the spotlight as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended nine previously convicted sex offenders in Los Angeles. The arrests come amid accusations that state authorities are releasing numerous criminal migrants instead of complying with federal detainer requests.
On Wednesday, ICE reported that these nine individuals, all with convictions for sex crimes, were detained during an operation specifically designed to remove dangerous criminals from local neighborhoods.
According to the agency, all nine offenders “will face justice for their crimes and will be deported from the United States, ensuring they no longer pose a threat to our communities.”
ICE has noted that since January 20, 2025, California has refused to honor 4,561 immigration detainer requests for criminal illegal immigrants. This refusal has resulted in the release of offenders, including those convicted of murder and sex crimes, back into the public rather than handing them over to federal authorities.
Among those arrested were Lucas Rendon-Hernandez and Jose Montero Pena, both captured as part of the operation targeting nine sex offenders in Los Angeles. ICE has accused California officials of overlooking thousands of detainer requests due to their sanctuary policies.
The agency added that it currently has more than 33,000 active detainers lodged in California’s local, state and federal jails and urged officials to cooperate so dangerous offenders can be removed from the U.S.
“ICE isn’t going to stand idly by while criminal illegal alien sex offenders roam Los Angeles or any other community,” ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said. “We’re here to enforce the law so we can protect our families, friends and neighbors – and by taking child rapists and other sexual predators like these nine off the streets, we can prevent recidivism and make an immediate difference in public safety.”
ICE arrested Juan Parra Gomez, left, and Darwin Vazquez-Ramos, right, as part of an operation that netted nine sex offenders in Los Angeles, while also accusing California officials of ignoring thousands of detainer requests under sanctuary policies. (ICE)
Local authorities released Juan Parra Gomez, 39, before ICE could lodge a detainer after he was sentenced to two years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a child, the agency said. Agents later arrested him in the community. He also faces a pending vandalism charge.
In another case, ICE said it issued a detainer for Lucas Rendon-Hernandez, 37, who was convicted of arranging to meet with a child and sentenced to three days in jail. Officials declined to honor it and released him, requiring agents to arrest him at large.
ICE arrested nine convicted sex offenders in Los Angeles and accused California officials of ignoring thousands of detainer requests under sanctuary policies. Pictured left to right: Daniel Bran Rivas; Amadeo Castellanos-Urbano; Feliciano Olivares; Daniel Bran Rivas; and Andres Sanchez Ortiz. (Luke Hales/Getty Images ; ICE)
ICE also arrested Jose Montero Pena, 73, who was sentenced to 288 days in jail for lewd acts with a child under 14, and Amadeo Castellanos-Urbano, 50, who received 12 years in prison for lewd acts and continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Among the others taken into custody were Andres Sanchez Ortiz, 53, sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual abuse with additional convictions for attempted kidnapping and driving under the influence; Feliciano Olivares, 49, sentenced to 18 years for lewd acts with a child; Daniel Bran Rivas, 30, sentenced to nine years for rape and oral copulation by force; and Luis Alfonso Juarez, 60, sentenced to 18 years for continuous sexual abuse and lewd acts involving a child under 14.
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