DHS Accuses California County Over ICE Detainees Following Mother’s Murder
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed its concerns regarding a California county’s handling of two illegal aliens linked to the murder of their 24-year-old mother. This incident took place earlier this month, raising serious questions about local law enforcement practices.
The suspects, Frankin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerson Jose Chirinos-Mungia, both from Honduras, were arrested in Santa Clara County. They are accused of killing Kemberly Chirinos-Flores, reportedly using a shotgun, in early January.
Interestingly, Chirinos-Mungia has a troubling past. He was apprehended in 2018 for assault and false imprisonment, and then again in 2019 for domestic assault and making terroristic threats, according to DHS.
What’s noteworthy here is that he was released to California authorities in both instances without notifying ICE, which is concerning.
Lauren Biss, acting assistant secretary of DHS, commented, “A man lost his life and now there’s a child without a mother. These illegal aliens should never have perpetrated such a horrific act and should never have been released into American society.”
Inestroza-Martinez, identified as an alleged accomplice, had a pending arrest warrant from New Jersey for a murder committed there in March 2025. He reportedly was deported from the U.S. in 2013 and again in 2018 but is believed to have reentered the country illegally before committing these acts.
DHS highlighted the California Values Act (CVA) as a contributing factor to this situation. This “sanctuary” law hinders local police from inquiring about suspects’ immigration status and limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.
Biss further criticized California’s approach, saying, “Instead of working with ICE, Santa Clara Sanctuary politicians refuse to honor ICE detainees and fail to notify ICE when these murderers are freed from custody. This refusal to turn over a cold-blooded murderer to ICE has to stop.”
The CVA was enacted in 2017 as a response to the immigration policies promoted by then-President Donald Trump. His administration had previously sued California over this law, but the case was dismissed in federal court and failed on appeal.
Chief Dan Pister of the Santa Clara Department of Public Safety remarked on the tragic loss, stating, “Ms. Kemberly was at the peak of her powers. She worked two jobs and was a loving mother to her 5-year-old son.”
It appears that efforts to reach out to the Santa Clara County Board Chair for comments went unanswered, indicating that this issue may remain contentious moving forward.
