California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing intense criticism after federal authorities revealed that San Diego County rejected an ICE detainer for Hector Balderas Aguilar, a Mexican national deported four times, who is now charged with felony hit-and-run in the death of 11-year-old Aiden Torres de Paz during a Thanksgiving soccer game.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Aguilar’s release highlights a conflict between federal immigration enforcement and California’s sanctuary policies, which limit local cooperation with ICE detainers. Newsom’s office responded by stating that federal lapses enabled Aguilar’s repeated re-entries into the U.S. and emphasized that California law allows for his prosecution under state statutes.

The case has intensified public debate over sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement, with critics accusing Newsom of prioritizing political ideology over public safety. Supporters argue that state law ensures accountability and prosecution while the federal government is responsible for broader immigration control. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between federal authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions, particularly in cases involving serious crimes.