A Lawless American Frontier Called the Sanctuary City

Nearly two decades ago, eighteen major Americanpromptly report Ramos to federal immigration officials
cities adopted the phrase "Sanctuary City" to be used(ICE) for deportation. The sad fact is that he was
in connection with illegal immigrants who reside withinreleased back onto the streets of San Francisco after
their jurisdiction. The term created a practice that didbeing held for just two days.So, when Anthony
not allow municipal funds or resources to be used toBologna and his two sons returned from a picnic on
enforce federal immigration laws. As a result, StateJune 22, 2008, they were destined to become the
police and municipal employees could not inquire aboutvictims of this lawless American frontier called the
anyone's immigration status.Over the years, theSanctuary City. All three were gunned down with an
concept of the Sanctuary City has spread to otherAK-47 and brutally murdered in broad daylight. Edwin
cities throughout America. This dubious system of lawRamos has been charged with the three slayings. It is
enforcement has led to two governments in America,still uncertain why Ramos committed the murders. It
a federal government that was responsible, but oftenmay have been road rage or it could have been a
ineffective, in enforcing national immigration law and acase of mistaken identity since he may have thought
local government that acted as a de facto sponsor forthat Anthony Bologna was a member of a rival gang.
illegal immigration.This contradiction in the enforcementNext, consider that Denver, Colorado is a city that
of immigration law, along with a lack of security alongofficially and proudly promotes itself as a sanctuary for
the United States border with Mexico, has led to theillegal aliens. The city has certainly lived up to that
arrival of twelve million illegal immigrants who currentlyreputation in the case of illegal alien, Francis Hernandez.
reside in United States cities.Meanwhile a lack ofHernandez was arrested sixteen times in five years in
cooperation between the local and federalColorado, but he was never reported to federal
government on the issue of illegal immigration hasimmigration officials or deported. His criminal charges
created a standard of law enforcement for the illegalincluded forgery, assault, theft, fraud, and driving under
alien that is often far different than that imposed onrestraint. He has never held a driver's license.A few
the ordinary American citizen. Consider the followingweeks ago, Hernandez was speeding in a Chevy
two examples of illegal immigration law enforcementSuburban and ran through a red light. His SUV hit a
and you will see why the Sanctuary City has becomenorthbound white Mazda pickup and the impact of that
the new American lawless frontier.San Francisco is aterrible crash killed the two women in the truck and
city that has been a true sanctuary for illegal alien andsent their vehicle cascading one hundred feet into the
convicted felon, Edwin Ramos. Ramos was foundcorner of a Baskin-Robbins in a Market Square
guilty of committing two felonies in San Francisco fourshopping center, killing a three year old boy eating an
years ago when he was a juvenile at the age of 17.ice cream cone. Hernandez fled the scene on foot, but
His juvenile crimes included a gang-related assault andwas later captured and charged with his crime. Every
an attempted robbery of a pregnant woman.day, a lack of Sanctuary City law enforcement
Unfortunately, these two felony convictions were justprotects the illegal immigrant, often at the expense of
the beginning for Ramos. This is because Santhe American citizen. Local officials say that playing a
Francisco became a Sanctuary City in 1989 and itsrole in immigration enforcement would create
law prohibits officials from cooperating with federalaccusations of racial profiling and cause their
officials in deporting illegal aliens.As a result, Ramosdepartments to lose the trust of immigrant
was not turned over by San Francisco juvenile justicecommunities. It is thought that illegal immigrants would
officials to federal immigration authorities. So, thebe reluctant to report crimes out of fear they will be
well-known convicted gang leader remained in the citydeported.In the meantime, illegal immigrants are allowed
after serving his time only to be arrested once again insanctuary to murder, rape, and assault Americans. It is
early 2008 on weapons and gang relateda perversity of this country's legal system which
charges.Incredibly, two convicted felonies, a reputationendangers every citizen who lives in the lawless
as a well-known gang leader, and another arrest forAmerican frontier known as the "Sanctuary City".
weapons charges still did not get San Francisco to