SACRAMENTO – Former Chairman of California’s Board of Prison Terms, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement regarding the attendance of the widows of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver and Placer County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Davis at tonight’s Presidential address before a joint session of Congress:

“These senseless murders of law enforcement officers seem to be sweeping the land. Ms. Jessica Davis’ and Ms. Susan Oliver’s husbands – Officers Danny Oliver and Michael Davis – were killed in the line of duty by a man who was deported twice for committing several crimes, membership of a drug cartel, and for entering the country illegally.

“Ms. Davis and Ms. Oliver should be applauded for their bravery and courage to stand up and speak out for the protection of law enforcement officers and for our communities.

“To safeguard law enforcement and our residents, California cannot ever become a 'sanctuary state.'”

BACKGROUND: Senator Nielsen introduced Senate Bill 713 (2015) following the officers’ deaths. SB 713 would have amended law in order to give ICE the authority to hold a previously deported convicted felon.

SB 713 would have closed a gap in current law so that local law enforcement would be authorized to honor an ICE hold if the subject is a previously deported felon. The measure failed five (5) – two (2) along partisan lines.