U.S. immigration authorities confirmed they had no contact with the Mexican illegal immigrant suspected of killing a California police officer until the man was arrested last week.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) emailed a statement to The San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday saying it had placed its first immigration detainer on suspect Gustavo Perez Arriaga after the December 26 killing.
Related: Illegal Fugitive Kills Legal Immigrant Cop — Dem Senators Silent
Perez Arriaga, who was in the country illegally and had previous arrests, was taken into custody Friday on suspicion of killing Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh, who was a 33-year-old husband and father of a 5-month-old boy.
The officer’s death has rekindled a national debate over California sanctuary policies.
President Donald Trump seized on the case in a call for tougher border security.
The disclosure by ICE calls into question contentions that Perez Arriaga had benefited from policies that forbid local police from cooperating with immigration officials.
Sheriff Adam Christianson, who led the investigation, blamed California’s sanctuary law for preventing local authorities from reporting Perez Arriaga to U.S. immigration officials for deportation after two previous drunken driving arrests.
The sheriff also said Perez Arriaga had gang affiliations.
For open borders, are ya? Against the wall, are ya? Love sanctuary cities, do ya?
Then watch this press conference.
-Illegal immigrant
-Known gang member
-TWO prior arrests, but as California is a sanctuary state, nothing happened.
-Harbored by 2 other gang membersCOP KILLER https://t.co/y2qeHCL5Eh
— Kevin Cox (@brooklyncowboy1) December 28, 2018
A spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown said Friday that police could have informed federal authorities if the suspect was a known gang member.
Fox 40 reported Monday night that four suspects accused of helping Arriaga evade law enforcement pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $100,000 for each.
Perez Arriaga is expected to face murder charges that will be filed before his arraignment on Wednesday, said John Goold, a spokesman for the Stanislaus County district attorney’s office.
Sheriff Adam Christianson, who led the investigation, blamed California’s sanctuary law for preventing local authorities from reporting Perez Arriaga to U.S. immigration officials for deportation after two previous drunken driving arrests.
Seven other people have been charged with aiding Perez Arriaga after the killing.
Singh had immigrated from Fiji to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer, officials said.
Singh had a 5-month-old son and joined the 12-officer Newman police force in 2011.
Funeral and viewing services for Singh are scheduled for this Friday and Saturday.
Check out the video below:
Frank Miles is a reporter and editor covering geopolitics, military, crime, technology and sports for FoxNews.com. The Associated Press contributed to this Fox News report, which is used by permission.
Read more at Fox News:
‘All-American New Year’ Features Exclusive Trump Interview
Jimmy Osmond Reportedly Suffers Stroke Onstage in U.K. Production of ‘Peter Pan’
Tiffany Haddish Vows to Wear Fur Every Day Until Police ‘Stop Killing Black People’
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.