Over 1,700 criminal illegal aliens have been released back into the public in Illinois due to the state’s sanctuary policies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says.
DHS’s Monday statement came a day before Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation into law on Tuesday expanding the state’s sanctuary policies.
According to DHS, there are 4,015 aliens in custody in the state who have active detainer requests, and since January, 1,768 aliens with detainer requests have been released.
It’s been revealed that since Trump took office, Illinois Gov. Pritzker has released 1,700 individuals with active ICE detainers — including those accused or convicted of serious violent offenses — back into the community.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 8, 2025
The crimes of the released aliens include homicide (5 cases), assault (141), burglary (23), robbery (4), drug offenses (24), weapon offenses (15), sexual offenses (10), ICE said. Of the aliens still in custody in the state, crimes include homicide (51), assault (1,134), burglary (1070), robbery (36), frug offenses (275), weapon offenses (120), and sexual offenses (813).
“Governor Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians are releasing murderers, pedophiles, and kidnappers back into our neighborhoods and putting American lives at risk,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “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.”
“It is common sense,” she added. “Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans.”
Illinois politicians have RELEASED over 1,700 criminal illegal aliens since January 20.@GovPritzker is refusing to cooperate with @ICEgov, allowing murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers to roam free and terrorize more Americans.
DHS is calling on Illinois politicians to… pic.twitter.com/8RtYnYKltn
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 9, 2025
Among the illegals back into Illinois despite ICE detainers were Jaime Mandujano-Nunez of Mexico, who was convicted in 2012 of sexually assaulting a child, but released before being destined and deported by ICE. Another man, Jose Manuel Fuentes-Varga was released despite being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. He was arrested by ICE in October and remains in custody.
Another illegal from Mexico, Juan Alberto Caro Marin, had a conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, later being released, but is now in ICE’s custody.
.@GovPritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians have released 1,768 violent criminal illegal aliens out of jail and back onto the streets of Illinois since January 20. Criminals released include murderers, pedophiles, and kidnappers back into our neighborhoods and… https://t.co/k4Qs39YuhG
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 8, 2025
Pritzker said Illinois’ new law expands legal protections for illegal immigrants, including allowing an individual to sue federal law enforcement if they believe their rights have been violated during immigration enforcement. It would also protect from civil immigration arrests at areas like hospitals, schools, and courts.
“No one – and I mean no one – is above the law, especially those wearing a badge representing the law,” Pritzker said during a press conference on Tuesday. “Our communities have experienced real tragedies over these past months.”
Governor Pritzker signs a bill enacting protections for immigrants in Illinois against unjust federal action https://t.co/M4CiEPnzcC
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 9, 2025
