The Department of Homeland Security has strongly criticized the Biden administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom following the charging of a Venezuelan national in the fatal attack on a social worker at a San Francisco hospital.
The accused, Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, allegedly stabbed 51-year-old Alberto Rangel on December 4 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
The incident reportedly took place in Ward 86, where the suspect, while being escorted out, allegedly seized Rangel and inflicted multiple stab wounds in full view of hospital personnel.
Rangel succumbed to his injuries two days later, on December 6.
On December 11, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested local authorities to detain the suspect without release.
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that Border Patrol initially encountered Tortolero-Arriechi in 2023, after which he was released into the United States under the current administration’s policies.
In the weeks before the attack, Tortolero-Arriechi reportedly threatened his doctor and staff at the hospital.
Officials say he is now in the United States illegally.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis blamed federal policy in a sharply worded statement, saying, “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, Alberto Rangel would still be alive.”
She called for stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and criticized California sanctuary policies.
“We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to commit to not releasing this murderer from jail. California’s sanctuary policies put American lives at risk. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released from jails back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. If we work together, we can make America safe again. 7 of the 10 safest cities in the US cooperate with ICE law enforcement.”
ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a separate letter in February to California Attorney General Rob Bonta urging compliance with federal detainers involving what he said were more than 33,000 criminal illegal aliens in California custody.
Tortolero-Arriechi is currently being held without bail at the San Francisco County Jail and faces charges of homicide and use of a deadly weapon.
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He is scheduled to appear in court on June 16.
Rangel, a hospital social worker, is being remembered by loved ones as someone who “spent his life breaking down barriers and providing unwavering support to communities in need,” described as a man of empathy and service.
California border activity reached record highs during the Biden years with approximately 1.37 million apprehensions and over 100,000 “gotaways” between 2022 and 2024.
These numbers declined sharply by over 96% after President Trump took office in January 2025, bringing daily arrests down from over 1,200 to as few as 30.
