Supes approve new S.F. sanctuary law
By Rachel Gordon
The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 2009
The Board of Supervisors gave final approval to changing the city's sanctuary policy with a veto-proof majority Tuesday, setting up a showdown with Mayor Gavin Newsom who said he will not enact the legislation over concerns of violating federal law.
The board voted 8-3 to amend city law so that undocumented youth arrested on felony charges be reported to federal immigration authorities for possible deportation only after they're convicted - not when they're arrested, as is now the case.
The vote, watched nationally, received enthusiastic applause from supporters who packed the City Hall supervisors' chamber.
Supervisor David Campos, chief sponsor of the legislation, said the issue is one of due process and an attempt to keep families from being ripped apart.
Newsom, who is running for governor, toughened the reporting policy last year.
The mayor will veto the legislation 'in short order,' said Nathan Ballard, his chief spokesman. The city's police chief and juvenile probation officers have said they would not follow the new law.
'We're not going to put our law enforcement officials in jeopardy just so the Board of Supervisors can make a statement,' Ballard said.
But Campos said the mayor has a duty to carry out the law.
'The power of the mayor is not absolute,' Campos said. The law should be carried out until a court rules it invalid, he said.
Supporting Campos' legislation were Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris Daly, Bevan Dufty, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi.
Opposed were Michela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu and Sean Elsbernd.
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Supervisors Boost Sanctuary City, Newsom Promises Veto
By Rigoberto Hernandez and Lily Mihalik
Mission Local (San Francisco), October 28, 2009
SF board changes tack on immigrant minors
By Carolyn Tyler
The KGO News (San Francisco), October 27, 2009
SF board changes tack on immigrant minors
By Juliana Barbassa
The Associated Press, October 27, 2009
Supes officially adopt sanctuary policy-change
By Joshua Sabatini
The San Francisco Examiner, October 27, 2009
By Rachel Gordon
The San Francisco Chronicle, October 28, 2009
The Board of Supervisors gave final approval to changing the city's sanctuary policy with a veto-proof majority Tuesday, setting up a showdown with Mayor Gavin Newsom who said he will not enact the legislation over concerns of violating federal law.
The board voted 8-3 to amend city law so that undocumented youth arrested on felony charges be reported to federal immigration authorities for possible deportation only after they're convicted - not when they're arrested, as is now the case.
The vote, watched nationally, received enthusiastic applause from supporters who packed the City Hall supervisors' chamber.
Supervisor David Campos, chief sponsor of the legislation, said the issue is one of due process and an attempt to keep families from being ripped apart.
Newsom, who is running for governor, toughened the reporting policy last year.
The mayor will veto the legislation 'in short order,' said Nathan Ballard, his chief spokesman. The city's police chief and juvenile probation officers have said they would not follow the new law.
'We're not going to put our law enforcement officials in jeopardy just so the Board of Supervisors can make a statement,' Ballard said.
But Campos said the mayor has a duty to carry out the law.
'The power of the mayor is not absolute,' Campos said. The law should be carried out until a court rules it invalid, he said.
Supporting Campos' legislation were Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu, Chris Daly, Bevan Dufty, Eric Mar, Sophie Maxwell and Ross Mirkarimi.
Opposed were Michela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu and Sean Elsbernd.
+++
Supervisors Boost Sanctuary City, Newsom Promises Veto
By Rigoberto Hernandez and Lily Mihalik
Mission Local (San Francisco), October 28, 2009
SF board changes tack on immigrant minors
By Carolyn Tyler
The KGO News (San Francisco), October 27, 2009
SF board changes tack on immigrant minors
By Juliana Barbassa
The Associated Press, October 27, 2009
Supes officially adopt sanctuary policy-change
By Joshua Sabatini
The San Francisco Examiner, October 27, 2009