Santa Clara Officials Refuse ICE Detainers for Honduran Murder Suspects

DHS Press Releases

Filed March 30th, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

DHS issued a press release documenting how Santa Clara County sanctuary officials refused to honor ICE detainers for two Honduran nationals—Franquin Inestroza-Martinez (wanted for a New Jersey murder) and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia—subsequently released and accused of murdering a 24-year-old single mother in Sunnyvale, California. The release highlights ongoing federal-local tensions over sanctuary policies and ICE detainer compliance.

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What changed

DHS released a press statement on March 30, 2026, criticizing Santa Clara County officials for refusing to honor ICE immigration detainers on two Honduran criminal aliens. Franquin Inestroza-Martinez is wanted for a 2025 murder in New Jersey, and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia was previously released by Santa Clara sanctuary officials before both were re-arrested for the murder of a 24-year-old single mother in Sunnyvale, California. ICE detainers are requests to local jails to hold individuals for up to 48 hours so federal immigration officers can assume custody.

This press release serves as a public accountability statement rather than creating new legal obligations. Compliance officers at state and local law enforcement agencies operating under sanctuary policies should review their detainer response protocols and assess liability exposure when refusing ICE detainer requests, particularly for individuals with violent criminal histories. No new compliance deadlines or penalties are established by this document.

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Santa Clara Sanctuary Politicians REFUSE to Honor ICE Arrest Detainer for Two Honduran Criminal Illegal Aliens Accused of Murdering a 24-Year-Old Single Mother

Santa Clara Sanctuary Politicians REFUSE to Honor ICE Arrest Detainer for Two Honduran Criminal Illegal Aliens Accused of Murdering a 24-Year-Old Single Mother

Release Date: March 30, 2026
Franquin Inestroza-Martinez is wanted for the murder of a 55-year-old man from New Jersey in 2025 and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia was previously RELEASED from jail by Santa Clara sanctuary politicians

WASHINGTON **** – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Santa Clara County sanctuary politicians refused to honor ICE detainers on two criminal illegal aliens arrested for the murder of a 24-year-old single mother in California. Detainers are requests to not release criminals from jail without notification to ICE.

On the evening of January 7, officers responded to reports of a shooting in Sunnyvale, California according to local reporting. Upon arriving to the scene, law enforcement found 24-year-old single mother Kembery Chirinos-Flores bleeding in her car with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene and leaves behind a 5-year-old son.

Kembery Chirinos-Flores

On March 5, 2026, local law enforcement arrested criminal illegal aliens Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia for the murder of Kembery Chirinos-Flores.

Franquin Inestroza-Martinez

On June 12, 2013, Inestroza-Martinez, a Honduran national, was caught illegally entering the United States by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. He was arrested and removed. On February 1, 2018, he was caught illegally re-entering the United States—a felony—and removed a second time. He illegally entered the United States a third time at an unknown date and time.

According to reports, Inestroza-Martinez also had an outstanding arrest warrant from New Jersey for the homicide of 55-year-old Esteban Vicente Sacalxot, w ho was found dead in his Trenton home from gunshot wounds on March 17, 2025.

Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia

On May 18, 2015, Chirinos-Munguia, a Honduran national, was caught illegally entering the country by CBP agents and was later removed. At an unknown place and time, he illegally re-entered the United States—a felony—and has been illegally living in the country. On September 20, 2019, Chirinos-Munguia was arrested in Santa Clara County for domestic battery and threatening crime with the intent of terrorizing. He has an additional arrest in April 2018 for battery and false imprisonment. He shares a child with his victim Kembery Chirinos-Flores.

ICE issued an arrest detainer asking sanctuary politicians to not release Chirinos-Munguia following his arrests for domestic battery and false imprisonment. Instead of turning this criminal over to ICE, sanctuary politicians released him from jail back into American communities.

“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 law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.