An undocumented immigrant convicted of killing two teens will now face federal charges after public outrage forces a dramatic shift in sanctuary policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to cooperate with Donald Trump’s administration to ensure that Óscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano — an undocumented immigrant convicted of killing two young people — does not walk free after serving only a fraction of his sentence.
The decision comes amid growing public outrage after families of the victims, Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin, both 19, learned that Ortega-Anguiano could be released as early as July 19, more than six years before completing his 10-year prison term. The fiery 2021 car crash that ended their lives was the result of Ortega-Anguiano driving under the influence, despite his criminal record and previous deportations.
Newsom’s office announced it would comply with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention order, reversing the state’s usual sanctuary stance that often shields undocumented immigrants from federal custody. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Newsom’s press office explained that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) would coordinate with ICE to transfer Ortega-Anguiano to federal custody before his scheduled parole date.
“After being deported in 2013, this individual illegally reentered the United States and committed heinous crimes,” the statement said. “The CDCR will once again coordinate with ICE, as it has with over 10,000 inmates, to transfer him prior to release.”
The governor’s move came after intense criticism of California’s early release system, which allows inmates to earn significant sentence reductions for good behavior or participation in rehabilitation programs. Ortega-Anguiano, currently housed at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, had accrued nearly a year of pre-sentence credit and became eligible for parole much earlier than expected.
The families of Varfolomeev and Osokin expressed heartbreak and fury over the possibility of Ortega-Anguiano’s early release. One family member called the situation “unfathomable, unbelievable,” saying the tragedy could have been avoided if immigration laws had been enforced earlier.
“The reckless action of this undocumented immigrant, who should not have been in our country at all, has left two families in anguish over our criminal justice system and grief-stricken for the loss of two vibrant young adults,” the statement read. “Now, due to the state’s corrupt early release system, these families are dealt another blow. There is no justice for these families as early release should never be on the table.”
In response to the outcry, U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli, newly appointed by Trump’s administration, announced his office would aggressively pursue immigration charges against Ortega-Anguiano.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Ortega-Anguiano faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of illegally reentering the United States after two prior deportations. The pending charges were originally filed during the Biden administration but are now receiving renewed attention under Essayli’s leadership.
“I stand with the U.S. Attorney’s Office who intends to pursue immigration charges against this convicted felon,” a family spokesperson said. “And I urge the governor to find a means of blocking any early release for Ortega-Anguiano.”
This case highlights a significant shift — both symbolically and practically — in how California’s leadership is willing to work with federal immigration enforcement when public safety is perceived to be at stake. Although California maintains its identity as a sanctuary state, Newsom’s decision suggests flexibility when cases involve high-profile, violent crimes by repeat immigration offenders.
The broader political impact remains to be seen. For now, the families of Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin may find some relief knowing that, instead of being released back into the community, Ortega-Anguiano will likely face a new legal battle in federal court.
