AP: Santa Clara County upholds sanctuary policy amid criticism

Supervisors in a Northern California county have refused to change a sanctuary policy that critics say allowed officials to release a gang member in the country illegally before he allegedly killed a woman.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday to uphold their policy of not holding immigration suspects for ICE without a warrant or a judicial order unless the person is currently charged with a crime.

Local officials have pushed the county to inform ICE of the upcoming release of violent felons.

The San Jose Police Association said Wednesday it was disappointed with the board’s decision and that it would continue to push 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.