DOJ requests noncitizen inmate info from multiple California jails

(NewsNation) — The Department of Justice is asking some of California's most populated counties to hand over information about inmates in the U.S. illegally.

Letters from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asked several California sheriffs to share the names of "all inmates in their county jails who are not citizens of the United States, their crimes of arrest or conviction and their scheduled release dates.”

The requests — which are to be completed in 30 days — went to "multiple major California counties," including Los Angeles and San Francisco counties.

If information isn't turned over in the next month, Bondi and the DOJ will use "all available means of obtaining” the list of names, whether through subpoenas or “other compulsory process," according to the letter.

“Removing criminal illegal aliens is this Administration’s highest priority,” Bondi said in a statement. “I look forward to cooperating with California’s county sheriffs to accomplish our shared duty of keeping Californians and all Americans safe and secure.”

Bondi's ask is likely to be met with pushback from officials in California, like Gov. Gavin Newsom. The Golden State has multiple jurisdictions with "sanctuary city" policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on July 11 signed an executive order requesting details about where "unlawful raids from federal agencies" have happened around the city — including who was arrested or detained, and why.

Bass also expanded access to resources for families of those detained or deported as well as strengthening city department training for future events.

In early June, demonstrators in Los Angeles served as the catalyst for nationwide protests against the Trump administration's immigration and deportation enforcement, which many critics have said crosses unprecedented moral and legal lines.