Jim Jordan issues subpoenas to Boulder and Fairfax prosecutors over alleged immigrant crime leniency

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan escalated his campaign against sanctuary jurisdictions by serving subpoenas to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty and Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. In letters, Jordan claimed the two offices have failed to turn over any documents despite repeated requests, prompting compulsory process. He accuses them of granting “preferential treatment” to criminal aliens, arguing that such leniency endangers communities and lets offenders avoid both criminal and immigration accountability.

The probe targets prosecutors who allegedly factor immigration status into charging decisions, a practice spotlighted after the stabbing death of 41-year-old Stephanie Minter by a man who entered the U.S. illegally in 2012 and had been arrested over 30 times. Descano’s office responded that it has already supplied more than 1,100 pages of documents and testified voluntarily, calling the committee’s actions a partisan escalation.

Dougherty, who recently lost a Democratic primary for Colorado attorney general, dismissed the investigation as political theater. Jordan said subpoenas are a last resort after repeated requests and that the committee will continue to seek facts.