The question of whether juvenile illegal immigrants who have committed a crime should be turned over to the federal government has reached a fever pitch.

The recent request by Mayor Gavin Newsom for all public safety departments in The City to review their policies under San Francisco’s sanctuary ordinance drew fierce criticism from immigrant-rights supporters Tuesday.

The sanctuary policy came under fire after federal officials threatened to arrest a San Francisco juvenile-probation officer who was escorting an illegal-immigrant youth to an airport earlier this year.

Instead of being turned over to federal authorities, illegal-immigrant youths accused of a felony or drug-related crime had been transported home or to halfway homes at the expense of taxpayers.

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A “top-to-bottom” request to review all public safety policies comes as the Juvenile Probation Department nears completion of a revised protocol.

City officials will soon be required to report youths to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, according to Newsom spokesman Nathan Ballard.

That decision was criticized Tuesday by a large crowd of immigrants rights activists and city politicians outside City Hall.

“There has been a misinformed connection between sanctuary city policy and the youth who have found themselves in the juvenile justice system,” Supervisor Tom Ammiano said. “We need to remember that youth are treated differently than adults because we as a city and society believe in rehabilitation.”

Today, as the mayor returns from his wedding in Montana, he’ll be greeted by a different protest, one that he may see more of as he campaigns across the state for governor. A group called ReportAndDeport is expected to protest The City’s sanctuary policy outside City Hall.

“Enough sanctuary cities, enough protection of illegal aliens, enough killing of innocent Americans by illegal aliens, enough Gavin Newsom,” the group’s announcement reads.

Dozens of immigrant-rights supporters, however, have pleaded for Newsom to leave the sanctuary policy untouched, saying it helps immigrants gain trust in police.

bbegin@sfexaminer.com