Some deported youths re-offending
By: Brent Begin

February 7, 2010



About a dozen children have returned to the San Francisco criminal justice system, some after committing more crimes, despite being referred to immigration officials under Mayor Gavin Newsom’s policy of reporting undocumented minors to federal authorities.

Detailed numbers are murky because the Juvenile Probation Department does not keep records that differentiate between kids who are referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and those who are not. The records of youths are also sealed from the public. Juvenile Probation Chief William Sifferman said, however, that there has been some recidivism among deported youths.

San Francisco’s sanctuary policy — a set of rules governing how city officials handle undocumented immigrants — was thrust into the nation’s spotlight when it was reported The City was not reporting undocumented youths convicted of felonies for deportation.

Compounded with the news that an alleged illegal immigrant accused of killing a father and two sons had been shielded by The City, Newsom implemented policy changes that included a provision that undocumented immigrant youths arrested for felonies are reported to ICE for possible deportation.

Among the handful of youths referred to ICE who have returned to The City’s juvenile detention center are some who have been caught dealing drugs in San Francisco while others have only identified themselves to juvenile probation as part of their release conditions, juvenile officials said.

“I have seen some of these cases myself, and our staff has come back and been concerned about what they’re seeing,â€