S.F. moves to change illegal alien policy

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- San Francisco officials are moving closer to amending the California city's controversial "sanctuary city" policy for illegal immigrants, observers say.

The public safety committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted Monday to change a policy instituted by Mayor Gavin Newsom last year in which federal immigration officials are notified when an illegal alien is arrested on suspicion of committing a felony. The Board of Supervisors, however, is moving to change the policy so that immigration officials are notified only when an alien is convicted of such a crime, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The measure will now go before the full board.

Backers say the current policy violates due process because, among other reasons, children who had no say in crossing the border can face deportation without even being convicted of a crime, the newspaper said.

But Newsom insists the amendment would violate federal law and contends the current policy is a workable compromise that preserves the sanctuary city ideals.

"Our sanctuary city policy is designed to protect our residents, regardless of immigration status, but it is not a shield for criminal behavior, and the mayor won't let it be used that way," Newsom spokesman Nathan Ballard told the Chronicle.