N.D. Cal. · ImmigrationFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Northern District of California
Immigration in the Northern District of California
N.D. Cal. · Ninth Circuit · Immigration nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 6–24 months; mean 17. 0 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
140 immigration offences were sentenced in the Northern District of California across 8 fiscal years (FY2018–FY2025), 15 of them in FY2025; that is 4% of the district's caseload.
The median prison term was 14 months (1 yr 2 mo), longer than the national median for immigration offences (6 months) and longer than the Ninth Circuit median (7). Half of prison terms fell between 6 and 24 months; 85% of cases carried a prison term.
45% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 62%); 26% were below the range on a government motion and 29% below it for other reasons.
FY2025 had fewer cases than FY2018 (15 against 35). The median prison term in FY2025 (17 months) was longer than in FY2018 (13 months).
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 45%Above range 0%Below range, government sponsored 26%Below range, other 29%Not determinable <10
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | N.D. Cal., immigration | N.D. Cal., all offences | 9th Cir., immigration | US, immigration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 18 | 444 | 5,132 | 22,153 |
| Share of district caseload | 3.9% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 14 | 30 | 7 | 6 |
| Mean prison months | 17 | 46 | — | 11 |
| Cases with a prison term | 85% | 88% | 95% | 95% |
| Within guideline range | 45% | 21% | 31% | 62% |
| Above range | 0% | 1% | 0% | 3% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 26% | 39% | 65% | 25% |
| Below range, other | 29% | 39% | 4% | 11% |
| Median final offence level | 13 | 20 | — | 10 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 35 | — | 13 | 60% | — | — | 0% |
| FY2019 | 31 | — | 10 | 52% | 32% | — | 0% |
| FY2020 | 33 | — | 16 | 47% | — | 41% | 0% |
| FY2021 | 12 | — | 20 | — | — | — | 0% |
| FY2022 | <10 | fewer than 10 cases | |||||
| FY2023 | <10 | fewer than 10 cases | |||||
| FY2024 | <10 | fewer than 10 cases | |||||
| FY2025 | 15 | — | 17 | — | 67% | — | 0% |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: immigration offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §none · 233 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2L1.2 Unlawfully entering or remaining in the United States · 76 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2L2.2 Fraudulently acquiring documents relating to naturalization or citizenship · 29 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2L2.1 Trafficking in a document relating to naturalization or citizenship · 15 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for immigration offences in the Northern District of California?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 14 months (1 yr 2 mo), with the middle half of terms between 6 and 24 months. 85% of cases carried a prison term. The national median for immigration offences is 6 months.
How often are immigration offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
26% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 29% below it for other reasons; 45% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, immigration offences had a median prison term of 6 months and a within-range share of 62% over the same period. The district's figures are above on median term and lower than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §none, §2L1.2 and §2L2.2.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Northern District of California
- Drug Trafficking 1,271
- Firearms 699
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 555
- Child Pornography 127
- Robbery 107
- Murder 84
- Money Launder 82
- Assault 66
- Sex Abuse 66
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 17; district is CIRCDIST 67. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.