White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest is blaming Republicans after an illegal immigrant who was reportedly deported five times  was charged with murder in California.

When asked by reporters about critics of President Obama’s immigration enforcement policies, Earnest insisted that it was actually Republicans who are fault for voting against the Gang Of Eight bill last year, pointing out that it contained funding to increase border security.

“The fact is that the president has done everything within his power to make sure that we are focusing our law enforcement resources on criminals and those who pose a threat to public safety and it’s because of the political efforts of Republicans that we have not been able to make the kind of investment that we’d like to make in securing our border and keeping our community safe,” Earnest said.

Francisco Sanchez was charged with shooting and killing a 32-year-old San Francisco woman last week, lleading to criticism from illegal immigration activists. Earnest deferred questions about details of the case to the Department of Homeland Security.