The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Mar. 30 that Santa Clara County officials did not honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest detainers for two Honduran nationals accused of murdering a 24-year-old single mother in California.
The statement highlights ongoing concerns about cooperation between local jurisdictions and federal immigration authorities, especially in cases involving serious crimes.
According to DHS, on January 7, officers responded to a shooting in Sunnyvale, California. Law enforcement found Kembery Chirinos-Flores with multiple gunshot wounds; she was pronounced dead at the scene and leaves behind a five-year-old son. On March 5, local law enforcement arrested Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia for her murder.
DHS said Inestroza-Martinez had previously been removed from the United States twice after being caught illegally entering the country by Customs and Border Protection agents in June 2013 and February 2018. He is also wanted in New Jersey for the homicide of Esteban Vicente Sacalxot, who was found dead from gunshot wounds on March 17, 2025.
Chirinos-Munguia was also removed after being caught illegally entering the United States in May 2015 but later re-entered at an unknown time or place. DHS said he has prior arrests including domestic battery, threatening crime with intent to terrorize, battery, and false imprisonment—all occurring before his alleged involvement in this case. He shares a child with Kembery Chirinos-Flores.
ICE issued an arrest detainer asking Santa Clara County officials not to release Chirinos-Munguia following his previous arrests but said he was released back into the community instead of being turned over to ICE custody.
"A man lost his life, and a child is now without a mother. These illegal aliens should have never been able to commit these horrific killings and must NEVER be released from jail into American communities," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Instead of cooperating with ICE, Santa Clara sanctuary politicians REFUSED to honor ICE’s arrest detainer and will not notify ICE when these murderers are released from jail. This insanity of refusing to turn cold-blooded killers over to ICE must end."
DHS stated that its law enforcement agencies continue working daily to protect communities from similar tragedies. The department also noted that victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants may seek support through its Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office.
