San Francisco's "Sanctuary" Policy

A federal grand jury is investigating whether San Francisco's policy violates federal laws that make it illegal to harbor unauthorized immigrants. The San Francisco Administrative Code states that "no department, agency, commission, officer or employee... shall use any city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law ... unless such assistance is required by federal or state statute, regulation, or court decision." Some immigration restrictionist groups have heavily criticized the San Francisco policy, saying it offers sanctuary to unauthorized immigrants. In September, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the city would delay a program offering city ID cards to unauthorized immigrants until after the city had fully reviewed its policy prohibiting the use of city funds for immigration enforcement.