Two federal agencies and a San Francisco sheriff is being sued by the family of Katie Steinle, who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant.
They argue that Steinle’s death could have been prevented if not for lax enforcement of immigration law.
“Kate’s death was both foreseeable and preventable had the law enforcement agencies, officials and/or officers involved simply followed the laws...which they swore to uphold,” the complaint said, ABC News reports.
The case has placed “sanctuary cities,”—in which the municipal government refuses to cooperate with federal enforcement of immigration law—under scrutiny, as the alleged shooter might have been deported if not for San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city.
The alleged shooter, Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, had an extensive criminal record and had previously been deported from the country five times. He allegedly said he chose to go to San Francisco because it was a sanctuary city.
