The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors is refusing to make changes to a sanctuary policy which has been criticized by some for allowing the release of a gang member in the country illegally before he allegedly killed a woman.
The supervisors voted 5-0 this week to keep the policy of not holding illegal immigration suspects for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without a warrant or other judge's order unless the person is facin current criminal charges.
Prior to the vote, local law enforcement officials have pressured the county to let ICE agents know if violent felons who may be in the country illegally are about to be released from local custody.
The day after the board vote, the San Jose Police Association issued a statement expressed disappointment with the decision. That union is promising to continue pushing for a change in policy.
The county's sanctuary policy came under criticism after the slaying San Jose resident Bambi Larson. Police arrested Carlos Arevalo-Carranza, an immigrant from El Salvador in the country illegally, in the killing.