Illegal immigrants caught dealing drugs in San Francisco could be deported by federal officials

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco is caught up in the nationwide fight against the fentanyl crisis, and the federal government's involvement in trying to contain the epidemic also means some suspected drug traffickers face the possibility of deportation.

San Francisco has been a sanctuary city since 1989. This means that city employees are prohibited from using city funds or resources to enforce federal immigration policies.

However, if drug dealers are convicted in federal court, their case is no longer under the city's jurisdiction and can result in deportation.

2023 was the year with the most drug overdoses in San Francisco. According to the city's medical examiner, over 800 people died. 2024 is trending downward, but there were still nearly 500 overdose deaths that year. This is leading to increased measures, with even the federal government getting involved.

MORE: Cautious optimism: Drug overdose deaths in San Francisco hit 4-year low

“We have worked hand in hand with them to address this overwhelming crisis that exists not only here in San Francisco, but around the world,” said Mayor London Breed.

Mayor London Breed confirmed that San Francisco will continue to maintain its “sanctuary city” policy, meaning the city cannot work with ICE to facilitate deportations, but the federal government can still deport drug dealers if they are undocumented.

“Fentanyl is killing people and our own sanctuary city policy does not protect against violent crime and the same is true with fentanyl. It is a violent crime, especially when someone overdoses and dies. The federal government is using this as a tool because they don't have the restrictions that we have under our sanctuary city policy,” said Mayor Breed.

Del Seymore, founder of the nonprofit organization Code Tenderloin, says he's noticed more arrests of drug dealers and that's led to improvements.

MORE: 1-month San Francisco curfew for Tenderloin businesses: Is it working?

“They're more active in the Tenderloin, we've noticed that in the last three months,” Seymore said. “They're actually going out and attacking drug dealers and transactions.”

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins confirmed that her office is tough on drug dealers.

“I am grateful to all of the local, state and federal partners who have come together to share resources and work together to shut down open drug markets and create safe neighborhoods for our residents and families,” said DA Jenkins.

The prosecutor's office has convicted 168 people this year and 96 people have pleaded guilty in other cases. According to its data, 571 drug-related cases are still pending. It does not keep records of immigration status.

MORE: 3 men accused of drug trafficking in Tenderloin extradited from Honduras to San Francisco

The nonprofit Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), which provides legal assistance to illegal immigrants, wants the city to not lose sight of its duty as a sanctuary city.

“Sanctuary City in San Francisco also guarantees people a fair trial, so if someone is accused of a crime, they have the right to go to court,” said Lariza Dugan-Cuadra, executive director of Carecen. “If someone is acquitted after their court date and found not guilty, they should be released.”

Once convicted, drug traffickers must serve their sentence in a federal prison. If they are undocumented, they can be deported.

We contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office to see if this is happening and were told that no records are kept on how many convicted drug traffickers are deported.