Compares S.F. Mayor Newsom to Former Alabama Gov George Wallace
WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) today sent the following letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking him to investigate the San Francisco sanctuary city policy that led to a triple homicide by an illegal alien.
A copy of the letter is below:
Dear Attorney General Mukasey,
Last week an illegal alien from El Salvador named Edwin Ramos gunned down a man and his two sons their way home from a picnic in San Francisco. As is the case all too often, this tragedy could have been prevented if current immigration laws were being enforced.
According to recent news reports, Ramos had been apprehended by local authorities on numerous occasions prior to this triple homicide, but because of San Francisco’s well publicized and illegal “sanctuary policy,” federal immigration authorities were never contacted. He was released and never deported.
Mr. Ramos was first convicted of two gang-related felonies but was allowed to remain in San Francisco because local authorities had an official policy of non-cooperation with federal immigration officials. After being released, Ramos was then convicted of assault – but once again city law enforcement officials were prevented from contacting federal immigration authorities because of San Francisco’s sanctuary policy. A year later, Ramos was arrested for trying to rob a pregnant woman – and once again released. Most recently in March of this year, he was arrested yet again – this time on a gun charge – only to once again be released.
Because San Francisco’s political leaders have already demonstrated their willingness to act in flagrant violation of federal law, I do not believe that local judicial institutions can be trusted to fairly try the case or mete out an appropriate punishment. Instead, I hope that the federal government will consider stepping in to prosecute the case in much the same way the federal government was forced to intercede during the civil rights period when southern states refused to follow the law or protect the rights of African-Americans.
This is unacceptable.
When George Wallace attempted to forcibly block the implementation of federal law in Alabama forty years ago, the federal government responded. And when a modern day George Wallace like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom openly defies federal law, it demands a federal response.
The plain language 8 U.S.C. 1373, makes it absolutely clear that such policies are illegal. The statute reads, “Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.” Despite this nearly decade-old federal law, no action has ever been taken by the Department of Justice to compel compliance – even though it is well known that many cities implement these misguided and illegal policies. Federal silence in the face of this shameful practice makes the federal government complicit in the crimes committed by persons who should have been deported.
In that vein, I suggest that you direct U.S. Attorneys to take decisive action against cities like San Francisco who maintain these dangerous and illegal sanctuary policies. Federal action now might discourage the next potential terrorist or murderer from taking advantage of these local “catch and release” policies that all too often allow them to continue victimizing other American citizens.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Source: U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo
*** |
