07-14-2015, 11:21 AM
San Francisco Sheriff Response
![[Image: 20150707__USPierShootingImmigration~p2_200.jpg]](http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site333/2015/0707/20150707__USPierShootingImmigration~p2_200.jpg)
^ San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi told reporters at a news conference that his department followed procedure and local laws when they released Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez in April after a years-old arrest warrant on marijuana charges against him was dismissed.
Sanchez is accused of murder in the shooting death a 32-year-old woman July 1 while she was walking along a city pier with her father.
The San Francisco Sheriff's Department citing city policy on immigrants with no violent criminal background, had released Sanchez despite a federal immigration request asking them to hold him until U.S. authorities could take him into custody for deportation proceedings.
Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi is calling for review of how his department and federal authorities communicate. "A tragedy of this dimension requires us all to step back and look at our policies," he said.
"Our policy will continue to reflect the spirit and letter of the law," he added.
CBS San Francisco KPIX reports the sheriff said the feds bear the responsibility for the release of Sanchez.
"I find it incredibly sad and incomprehensible that this tragedy is being used as a platform for political gain," Mirkarimi said.
The slaying has brought heavy criticism down on the city from politicians of both parties and become the latest flashpoint in the debate over how to deal with illegal immigration.
Groups advocating stricter immigration enforcement are hoping the episode leads to closer collaboration between local law enforcement and immigration authorities.
Ref: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/san-francisc...g-suspect/
^ San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi told reporters at a news conference that his department followed procedure and local laws when they released Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez in April after a years-old arrest warrant on marijuana charges against him was dismissed.
Sanchez is accused of murder in the shooting death a 32-year-old woman July 1 while she was walking along a city pier with her father.
The San Francisco Sheriff's Department citing city policy on immigrants with no violent criminal background, had released Sanchez despite a federal immigration request asking them to hold him until U.S. authorities could take him into custody for deportation proceedings.
Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi is calling for review of how his department and federal authorities communicate. "A tragedy of this dimension requires us all to step back and look at our policies," he said.
"Our policy will continue to reflect the spirit and letter of the law," he added.
CBS San Francisco KPIX reports the sheriff said the feds bear the responsibility for the release of Sanchez.
"I find it incredibly sad and incomprehensible that this tragedy is being used as a platform for political gain," Mirkarimi said.
The slaying has brought heavy criticism down on the city from politicians of both parties and become the latest flashpoint in the debate over how to deal with illegal immigration.
Groups advocating stricter immigration enforcement are hoping the episode leads to closer collaboration between local law enforcement and immigration authorities.
Ref: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/san-francisc...g-suspect/