Over the weekend, the federal immigration crackdown resulted in 42 men being sent to the Anchorage Correctional Complex by ICE. The Alaska Department of Corrections confirmed that these men were arrested outside Alaska and transported to the facility under a federal agreement.
Two men, Ronaldo Alberto Calderson from El Salvador and Jose Gonzalez-Montes from Peru, were shifted to Washington state within 24 hours of arriving. Department spokesperson Betsy Holley stated that the remaining 40 detainees are expected to be held in Anchorage for about a month.
The detainees, originating from 22 countries, including India, Mexico, Afghanistan, and Egypt, were not arrested in Alaska but transferred under the state’s contract with the US Marshals Service.
That contract allows federal detainees, including those awaiting immigration proceedings, to be held in state facilities. As of May, only 11 individuals arrested by ICE have been held in Alaska jails this year.
The latest wave marks a sharp increase tied directly to the nationwide immigration sweep. On May 1, the daily federal reimbursement rate to Alaska rose from $202.21 to $223.70. Community outrage followed quickly. On Monday night, over 80 people rallied outside the Anchorage jail, condemning Governor Mike Dunleavy’s role in the detentions.
Protestors from the Party of Socialism and Liberation demanded medical care, translator access, and the notification of families. Cynthia Gachupin, a victim’s rights advocate, explained how their 24-hour hotline tracks ICE activity and sends observers to record arrests.
ICE has not responded to media inquiries about the transfer. Governor Dunleavy and Corrections Commissioner Jen Winkelman also remained silent. As the crackdown intensifies, questions about detainee treatment and Alaska’s role in ICE enforcement continue to grow.
