SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego Sheriff’s Department has released documents requested by ICE.
Under the California Values Act or Sanctuary laws, the Sheriff’s Department is not allowed to help ICE find or arrest undocumented immigrants.
But, Sheriff Bill Gore says the subpoenas that ICE issued last week, requires them to release the records. Congress granted ICE the use of these special subpoenas giving the agency more power to get the information from local authorities.
RELATED: ICE subpoenas San Diego Sheriff's Department for migrant arrest data
The records requested are for four men all from Mexico: A 40-year-old arrested in San Diego last December for sex abuse of a child under 14. A 28-year-old arrested in January for assaulting his spouse and child. A 42-year-old arrested last November for first degree robbery. And a 31-year-old man arrested last December for spousal abuse and false imprisonment.
The first two remain in custody. While the last two were released into the community.
A spokesperson from ICE sent a statement saying in part, “The California sanctuary laws forces the Sheriff’s Department to release many criminal aliens to the street rather than transfer to ICE custody which they say threatens public safety and national security since many will re-offend leading to more victims.”
Sheriff Gore says they want to make sure they follow the rules but make sure they protect all of those that live in the county.
“We’re not the immigration police, we’re here to protect the undocumented people in the county just like everyone else. They can report crimes and be witnesses to crimes," Gore added.
