DHS Slams California 'Sanctuary' County After Mom Allegedly Murdered by 2 Honduran Nationals

The Department of Homeland Security criticized Santa Clara County for not honoring ICE detainer requests for the two illegal immigrants accused of killing a 24-year-old mother.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered shotgun shell casing lying on a dark surface, the harsh lighting and stark contrast creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the violence of this crime.A shattered remnant of the violence that took a young mother's life, exposing the human toll of California's sanctuary policies.Santa Clara Today

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has slammed a California county for not honoring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests for two illegal immigrants accused of murdering a 24-year-old mother earlier this month. Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia, both Honduran nationals, were arrested in Santa Clara County for allegedly killing Kembery Chirinos-Flores with a shotgun. Chirinos-Munguia had previously been arrested for battery and domestic violence but was released back into the community without notifying ICE.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and 'sanctuary' policies in California, which limit local cooperation with ICE. The DHS argues that these policies allowed two accused murderers to remain in the country and commit this crime, while advocates of sanctuary laws say they are necessary to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

The details

Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia, both Honduran nationals, were arrested in Santa Clara County for allegedly killing 24-year-old Kembery Chirinos-Flores with a shotgun in early January. Chirinos-Munguia is the father of Chirinos-Flores' 5-year-old son, and had previously been arrested in 2018 for battery and false imprisonment, and in 2019 for domestic battery and threatening crime with the intent of terrorizing. He was released back into California without ICE being notified on both occasions. Inestroza-Martinez, the alleged accomplice, also had an outstanding arrest warrant from New Jersey for a homicide in 2025. He had been deported from the U.S. in 2013 and 2018 but illegally re-entered the country at an unknown date before the alleged murders.

  • In early January 2026, Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia allegedly killed Kembery Chirinos-Flores.
  • In 2018, Chirinos-Munguia was previously arrested for battery and false imprisonment.
  • In 2019, Chirinos-Munguia was previously arrested for domestic battery and threatening crime with the intent of terrorizing.
  • In 2013 and 2018, Inestroza-Martinez was deported from the U.S.
  • In March 2025, Inestroza-Martinez allegedly murdered a 55-year-old man in New Jersey.

The players

Franquin Inestroza-Martinez

A Honduran national who was arrested in Santa Clara County for allegedly killing Kembery Chirinos-Flores. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant from New Jersey for the homicide of a 55-year-old man in March 2025.

Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia

A Honduran national who was arrested in Santa Clara County for allegedly killing Kembery Chirinos-Flores, the mother of his 5-year-old son. He had previously been arrested in 2018 for battery and false imprisonment, and in 2019 for domestic battery and threatening crime with the intent of terrorizing.

Kembery Chirinos-Flores

A 24-year-old mother who was allegedly murdered by Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia in Santa Clara County.

Lauren Bis

The Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Dan Pistor

The Santa Clara Department of Public Safety Chief.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Lauren Bis, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary

“Kembery was in the prime of her life. She was working two jobs, and she was the loving mother of a 5-year-old son.”

— Dan Pistor, Santa Clara Department of Public Safety Chief

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Franquin Inestroza-Martinez and Gerzon Jose Chirinos-Munguia out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over 'sanctuary' policies in California, with the DHS arguing that these policies allowed two accused murderers to remain in the country and commit this crime, while advocates say the laws are necessary to build trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. The tragic loss of a young mother's life has reignited calls for stricter immigration enforcement and an end to sanctuary policies.