San Francisco as a Sanctuary City: A Story of Blame, Tragedy, and Debate

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The fight over so-called "sanctuary cities" may seem new, but the debate has deep roots. Local governments in California's Bay Area were the first to refuse to enforce federal immigration laws, and provide protection for immigrants. 

San Francisco, among the first 12 cities to be dubbed a "sanctuary city," embraced new policies and pushed back against federal government threats.

But things have changed.

San Francisco was left shaken after an immigrant murdered a man and his two sons, and the slaying has given new rhetoric to the conservative, anti-sanctuary city movement. Another murder by an immigrant added to critics' anger and policies shifted.

Though San Francisco is home of the federal judge who dealt President Trump another legal blow by halting a White House threat to withhold federal money from sanctuary cities like San Francisco, the debates over policy laws rage on. 

Marisa Lagos, a reporter for public radio station KQED, has the full, shifting history of sanctuary policies in San Francisco.