By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are criticizing the release of an immigrant with a criminal record who allegedly went on to murder a woman in San Francisco last week. They said he should have been deported before the crime.
Republican Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who chairs the Senate’s homeland security committee, says it makes no sense that the man was released despite having a long criminal record and no legal status.
Philip Miller, an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, blamed San Francisco, saying officials there did not honor a federal request to keepFrancisco Sanchez detained. Sanchez, who is from Mexico, allegedly shot and killed the young woman as she was sightseeing with her father.
San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi has defended his office’s decision, saying ICE should have issued an arrest warrant earlier.
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