New San Francisco DA Seeks Exemption to Sanctuary City Law for Those Guilty of “Unspeakable Crimes”

Brooke Jenkins, the San Francisco DA has succeeded recalled DA Chesa Bodin. She considers herself a progressive but her critics and even her supporters realize she’s a lot more of a law and order DA than her predecessor.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports today that Jenkins hopes to persuade the city to grant exceptions from its sanctuary city law so she can prosecute two of her wanted criminals. “unspeakable crimes.”

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is seeking permission from the Board of Supervisors to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in what she says is an extraordinary situation: She’s determined to bring two men accused of violent crimes to justice, after locating them abroad.

The two suspects, who have not been named, present a critical test for San Francisco’s sanctuary city law, which bars city officials from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In both cases, Jenkins said the Department of Homeland Security refused to extradite the men unless San Francisco agrees to waive its cornerstone immigration policy and notify the department if the men are released from jail…

The two cases are unrelated, but they do involve. “unspeakable crimes,” Jenkins said in a statement Monday…

There doesn’t seem to be video available of Jenkins’ statement yet but the San Francisco Standard has a bit of She said it..

“We should not have San Francisco become a place where people are allowed to rape children and murder women, and then—so long as they’re able to avoid prosecution by fleeing the U.S.—they get away with it,” Jenkins said. “And so I’m trying to do my level best to still respect and support our sanctuary city policies while still being able to do my job.”

It sounds reasonable to me, but this is San Francisco. Hillary Ronen, City Supervisor, was last seen offering support. Red light district in SF where prostitution could be legalized, opposes DA Jenkins’ request.

“What the mayor and DA are doing is weak,” Ronen shared his thoughts with The Standard. “They are not standing up for our sanctuary ordinance and are being almost extorted by the federal government.”

What is it that these two unidentified persons are accused of doing, then? It’s Really bad.

Jenkins claims that the defendant in one case allegedly killed his exwife in 2009, and left behind a trace of him. “their children behind without a mom.”

Prosecutors claim that the defendant abused two teenage girls between the ages of 10 and 10. His arrest warrant was issued in 2021.

I believe ICE is trying to make a point that goes far beyond this particular situation. ICE is annoyed that San Francisco will release individuals who are wanted by ICE to deport without having any contact with them. This would make it easier for ICE to pick these people up. But in this case, I don’t think even the folks in San Francisco would be delusional enough to release a murder suspect and a child rapist on bail. But I guess you never really know what might happen in SF and they don’t want to take the risk that these two characters could wind up back on the street without ICE being notified.

Yes, ICE may be right to make a point, but Supervisor Ronen is equally correct. Why is it so hard for her to make an exception for violent individuals who really shouldn’t be shielded from ICE or the full force of the law given the nature of their alleged crimes. Does she want to make sure these two men can stay in the US if they’re convicted? Is that what you would want? We’re not talking about traffic violations here.

Here’s hoping there are enough sane city supervisors in SF to make these prosecutions happen.