Immigrant rights groups are lashing out at Mayor Gavin Newsom after he refused to honor approved legislation meant to delay immigration authorities’ involvement in criminal cases involving undocumented youths.
A coalition of immigrant parents and advocates gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Tuesday to express their anger over Newsom’s response.
In an 8-2 veto-proof vote last week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved legislation that would require authorities to turn in undocumented youths with felony charges to immigration officials only after they have been convicted.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Newsom said the legislation is "moot" because it goes against federal law.
New Police Chief George Gascon and the probation officers’ union sided with Newsom, saying local law enforcement would not abide by the law, according to the Chronicle.
Supervisor David Campos, who authored the legislation, said this is a civil rights issue and that the law would give children the opportunity to have their day in court.
Campos and the board are waiting to see how everything plays out, according to Mission Local. Although it’s too soon to draw any conclusions, he hinted that the issue could be fought in court.
San Francisco became a sanctuary city in 1989, when officials approved the "City of Refuge" ordinance — preventing local authorities from helping federal agents make immigration arrests.
Last year, Newsom shifted the city’s sanctuary policy by allowing local law enforcement to hand over undocumented juveniles with criminal records to immigration officials.
