Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
California Governor to Collaborate with ICE on Vehicular Manslaughter Case
California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and transfer an undocumented immigrant convicted of vehicular manslaughter. This decision follows widespread outrage over the impending release of Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano from prison.
Details of the Vehicular Manslaughter Incident
Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs at a high speed in November 2021 when he collided with a vehicle occupied by Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin, both 19 years old. The collision resulted in a fatal fire, causing the death of the couple.
Ortega-Anguiano’s Prior Deportation and Re-entry
Prior to the fatal incident, the 43-year-old Ortega-Anguiano had been deported from the United States on two separate occasions. He subsequently re-entered the country illegally.
ICE Detainer and Parole Controversy
Following the crash, ICE officials issued a detainer to the Orange County Jail to monitor Ortega-Anguiano. Despite this, a court recently granted him parole, with his release initially scheduled for July after serving only 3.5 years of his sentence. He had received two concurrent 10-year sentences for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Family Outrage and California’s Sanctuary Status
The victims’ families were informed of the parole decision on Easter Sunday, sparking substantial backlash given California’s longstanding sanctuary city policies.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Newsom’s Shift in Stance on Immigration Enforcement
During his 2019 inauguration speech, Governor Newsom affirmed California’s commitment to being “a sanctuary to all who seek it” and pledged to protect the state’s sanctuary policies. However, Newsom has now committed to working with ICE to ensure Ortega-Anguiano is taken into federal custody.
Sanctuary City Policies and Cooperation with Federal Agencies
Under sanctuary city policies, local authorities can restrict their cooperation with federal immigration agencies, including limiting information sharing about inmates. However, Newsom’s administration has indicated that this will not be the case in this instance.
- Governor Newsom’s press office stated on X that after being deported in 2013, Ortega-Anguiano unlawfully re-entered the U.S. and committed “heinous crimes.”
- The press office also highlighted that the CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) will coordinate with ICE to transfer him before release, as they have done with over 10,000 inmates.
Details of Ortega-Anguiano’s Criminal History
The ICE agency disclosed that Ortega-Anguiano had prior convictions including burglary in 2005, vehicle theft in 2007, and battery on a spouse with kidnapping in 2014.
- ICE stated that an immigration judge ordered Ortega-Anguiano’s removal on Nov. 3, 2014.
- He filed several unsuccessful appeals and was taken into ICE custody on Dec. 2, 2016, and removed to Mexico on the same day.
Further Attempts to Re-enter the United States
- Ortega-Anguiano attempted to re-enter the United States on Feb. 2, 2018, presenting a counterfeit document and was paroled into the U.S. pending criminal prosecution for illegal re-entry after removal..
- An immigration official issued Ortega an expedited removal order and removed him June 1, 2018, to Mexico.
- Following his latest removal, he again illegally reentered the U.S. on an unknown date and location.
Response from Trump Administration Officials
Former Trump administration border official Tom Homan had previously pledged to take necessary actions to remove Ortega-Anguiano, regardless of cooperation from local authorities.
Victims’ Families Express Disbelief
The families of Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin conveyed their bewilderment regarding the decision to grant parole after a short period of incarceration.