San Francisco Considers New Immigration Sanctuary Policy

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee has voted to send new legislation to the full board for approval that would change the city's current sanctuary policy for illegal immigrant youths.

The new policy would change how the city handles illegal immigrant youths who are arrested for felony crimes. Instead of reporting the youth to federal immigration authorities for deportation after an arrest--which is how the policy currently stands--the city would wait to report the youth until he or she is convicted.

Although the legislation was passed with a 2-1 vote, it is being met with opposition from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Last year, Newsom made changes to the immigration policy that made it so any illegal immigrant youth who is arrested on felony charges is to be reported to federal immigration authorities. The new legislation, proposed by Supervisor David Campos, would roll back some of Newsom's changes.  Under Campos' legislation, police would not be required to report an arrest to immigration authorities until the youth was convicted or the youth was charged as an adult.

Despite support from eight of the city's Supervisors, Newsom said he will veto the legislation, even if there are enough votes to overturn his veto.

Newsom's spokesman Nathan Ballard says the Mayor opposes the legislation because it shields criminal behavior, puts the entire policy at risk, and is unenforceable.

The board is expected to vote on Oct. 20.

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