Federal law requires that municipalities maintain custody of and report to US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement illegal aliens they have arrested so that the feds might deport them to their home countries. The elected leadership of certain cities – San Francisco among them – directs their employees to disregard the federal law under so-called “sanctuary” provisions.
Edwin Ramos, age 21, a Salvadoran national and a reputed member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang, was thrice arrested by the city of San Francisco as a juvenile for crimes including an assault on a pregnant woman. He had two prior felony convictions as a juvenile. Obeying the mayor’s sanctuary provisions but contrary to federal statute, the city never notified ICE.
Ramos was again arrested in March when a gun implicated in two homicides was found in his car. Apparently the city did notify ICE this time, but – despite the fact that federal deportation proceedings were underway – released the Salvadoran from custody in early April after the city DA declined to press charges.
On 22 June 2008, Ramos allegedly murdered a Bay area father, one Anthony Bologna and his two sons, Matthew (20) and Michael (16). The men had been returning from a family gathering when they inadvertently cut Ramos off at an intersection. Ramos’ weapon was an AK-47.
Ramos pled “not guilty” to charges of murdering three men. The state will probably deal more harshly with the AK-47 – also here illegally – than it did heretofore with Mr. Ramos. Neither Mr. Bologna nor his two sons could be reached for comment.
Thus, sanctuary.
Update: Wake-up America has video of Mrs. Bologna being interviewed, if you can bear it.
Lex … as you know, I have inveighed against the City Council of Houston, the city in which I live, for establishing our city as a sanctuary city, which ensures that a regular cavalcade of busses and other vehicles carrying masses of illegals across the Texas border heads straight for Houston the minute they find a highway. I have seen several entries on the Internet lately suggesting that cities which take this insane course of action be denied federal funds. For anything. Believe me, if I could make that happen, I would.
Marianne
I don’t get it. Why should any city be a “sanctuary city”? Seems to me only bad things can come of it. Because really, those protected by this are already proven criminals, having broken the law TWICE.
Why should any city be a “sanctuary city”?
Because then the the people in charge can enjoy that warm ,fuzzy feeling they get when they contemplate their own moral superiority as enlightened citizens of the world.
*returns to non-snarky demeanor of sweetness and light*
San Diego Minutemen Adopt-a-Highway!…
The news that the Minutemen won their federal court case to Adopt-a-Highway along San Diego’s stretch of Interstate-5 is a kicker……
Are these cities not breaking federal law? If so, why are the city officials, mayor, council members, city attorneys, etc still walking free. Arrest them, put them in jail with arrested illegals, suspend all federal funds and assistance coming to these cities. Put them in complete isolation from the federal money trough. See how long they retain their superior, moral high ground.
Put a wall around San Francisco. Shoot anyone trying to escape.
Yak,
You forgot “Fill with water”.
Time to bring in the National Guard until SF toes the line.
LOL.
This information has so put a damper on my upcoming trip to SF. If it weren’t for the fact that I’ve sunk almost $1000 into air fare and conference fee, I’d stay the hell home and go somewhere else for the week. I absolutely loathe the idea of spending money in a city that harbors violent criminals.
If the United States Congress had any balls they would just cut off all Federal funds to ANY political subdivision that chooses to ignore Federal law.
You can bet that the fruits, flakes and nuts in San Francisco would change their tune in about two seconds.
After all, why should the rest of us law abiding tax payers be forced to support any community which feels that it doesn’t have to follow all the laws, and will pick and choose those they like, and ignore the rest? I don’t have any problem with them doing that, if I don’t have to support their life style with my tax money.
The so-called “sanctuaries” are all democratic strongholds. Chances that congress would invoke any penalty = zero.
But that ought to be part of any immigration reform bill: regulated guest worker program, you can come in as long as you are registered, pay taxes and work. After x number of years you can apply for citizenship. If any locale does not comply they lose all federal funding.
I’ve said it before, San Francisco; a beautiful city ruined by (some of ) the people.
Reason #101 to add to my list of “Why I will NEVER visit the city of San Francisco!”