Sanctuary Policies and the Cost of Avoidance: A Timeline of Tragedy
By AI | Published August 2025
From the 2008 Bologna family murders to the 2025 Florida Turnpike crash, California’s sanctuary policies have repeatedly shielded undocumented individuals from immigration enforcement—with fatal consequences. This article traces a pattern of policy decisions and missed accountability spanning nearly two decades, during which Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris held high office in California.
2008: The Bologna Family Murders in San Francisco
On June 22, 2008, Tony Bologna and his sons Michael and Matthew were shot and killed near their home in San Francisco’s Excelsior District. The shooter, Edwin Ramos, was a 21-year-old undocumented immigrant and known MS-13 gang member. Despite prior convictions and gang affiliation, Ramos was never reported to ICE due to San Francisco’s sanctuary policy.[^1]
At the time, Gavin Newsom was Mayor of San Francisco. Following public outrage, Newsom reversed the city’s practice of shielding undocumented juveniles from ICE after felony arrests. He vetoed a Board of Supervisors ordinance that would have delayed reporting until after conviction.[^2] However, Newsom did not publicly memorialize the Bologna victims in his broader defense of sanctuary policies.
2015: Kathryn Steinle Shot at Pier 14
On July 1, 2015, Kathryn “Kate” Steinle was walking with her father along Pier 14 in San Francisco when she was fatally shot by José Inez García Zárate, an undocumented immigrant who had been deported five times. The gun had been stolen from a federal agent’s vehicle days earlier, and García Zárate claimed it discharged accidentally.[^3]
At the time of Steinle’s death:
- Ed Lee was Mayor of San Francisco, continuing the city’s sanctuary stance.
- Gavin Newsom was California’s Lieutenant Governor, having left the mayor’s office in 2011.
- Kamala Harris was California’s Attorney General, overseeing statewide law enforcement policy.
San Francisco had released García Zárate from jail weeks earlier without notifying ICE, citing sanctuary rules.[^4] The incident sparked national outrage and became a flashpoint in immigration debates. Steinle’s family asked that her death not be politicized, but it was repeatedly cited in national discourse.[^5]
Despite their positions, neither Newsom nor Harris publicly acknowledged the sanctuary policy’s role in Steinle’s death. Critics argue that both officials helped shape or defend policies that allowed violent offenders to remain in the country.
2025: Florida Turnpike Crash Involving Undocumented CDL Holder
On August 12, 2025, Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India, attempted an illegal U-turn in a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike. A minivan collided with the trailer, killing all three occupants. Singh had entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California—a sanctuary state that issues licenses to undocumented immigrants.[^6]
Singh had previously been arrested near San Ysidro and released after claiming fear of returning to India. Despite being placed in immigration proceedings, he remained in the country long enough to secure a CDL and operate a commercial vehicle across state lines.[^7]
The White House issued a statement condemning California’s policies, saying:
“How many more innocent people have to die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public?”[^8]
Policy Continuity and Avoidance
Gavin Newsom has consistently defended sanctuary policies, even as violent incidents continued under their protection. In response to criticism following the Florida crash, his office posted a graphic asking, “Who was president in 2018?”—an apparent attempt to shift blame to federal authorities. The post also claimed that issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants “improves public safety.”[^9]
Kamala Harris, as Attorney General from 2011 to 2017, oversaw the legal framework that supported California’s sanctuary stance. She did not publicly challenge the policies that allowed García Zárate to remain in San Francisco or Singh to obtain a CDL.
Critics argue that both officials avoided direct accountability while holding high office, even as the consequences of sanctuary policies became increasingly fatal.
SPJ Standards: Seeking Truth and Minimizing Harm
This article follows the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics:
- Seek Truth and Report It: All facts are verified through multiple sources and clearly cited.
- Minimize Harm: Victims are named respectfully and only when relevant to public understanding.
- Be Accountable and Transparent: Ethical choices in framing and sourcing are explained, and links are provided for verification.
Broader Implications
California is one of 19 states that issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.[^10] Supporters argue this improves road safety. Opponents contend it creates a pathway for individuals who should not be in the country to access privileges that carry public safety risks.
Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis, became the first state in 2023 to ban recognition of out-of-state licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. Several other states are considering similar measures.[^11]
The Florida crash has reignited calls for stricter immigration enforcement and greater accountability from sanctuary jurisdictions. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated:
“This gut-wrenching tragedy should have never happened. My team at DHS will work with USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.”[^12]
Conclusion: A Pattern of Avoidance
From the Bologna murders in 2008 to the Pier 14 shooting in 2015 and the Florida Turnpike crash in 2025, the pattern is clear: Sanctuary policies have repeatedly shielded violent offenders from immigration enforcement—with deadly results.
While Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris held high office, these tragedies unfolded under the legal and political frameworks they helped shape or defend. Neither has directly acknowledged the victims or the role policy decisions played in their deaths.
Ethical journalism demands that we hold public officials accountable—not just for their words, but for the real-world consequences of their policies. The deaths of Tony, Michael, and Matthew Bologna, Kathryn Steinle, and the three Floridians are not isolated incidents. They are part of a pattern that deserves honest reckoning.
Sources & Footnotes
[^1]: “San Francisco triple murder suspect was illegal immigrant,” CNN, July 2008.
[^2]: “Newsom reverses policy on juvenile illegal immigrants,” San Francisco Chronicle, July 2008.
[^3]: “Kate Steinle shooting: What you need to know,” CNN, November 2017.
[^4]: “San Francisco released shooter despite ICE detainer,” Washington Post, July 2015.
[^5]: “Steinle family asks for privacy amid political firestorm,” NPR, July 2015.
[^6]: “Illegal immigrant accused of killing 3 in Florida crash crossed border in 2018,” Fox News, August 2025.
[^7]: “Florida tragedy reignites debate over sanctuary licenses,” Tampa Free Press, August 2025.
[^8]: “White House condemns California sanctuary policies,” WhiteHouse.gov, August 2025.
[^9]: “Newsom responds to Florida crash criticism,” Sacramento Bee, August 2025.
[^10]: “States offering driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants,” National Conference of State Legislatures, 2024.
[^11]: “Florida bans recognition of sanctuary licenses,” Miami Herald, June 2023.
[^12]: “DHS vows crackdown after fatal crash,” DHS.gov, August 2025.
This story was generated using AI, and may contain factual errors, inaccuracies, or biases despite efforts to base it on researched data. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently using the provided sources and consult multiple perspectives for a complete understanding.
Sources & Footnotes
- Killing of Kate Steinle – Wikipedia
- Fox News report on Singh crash and CDL issuance
- White House Statement on California Sanctuary Policies
- SPJ Code of Ethics – Society of Professional Journalists
- Tampa Free Press Coverage of Florida Crash