Prosecutors Across Multiple States Accused of Favoring Undocumented Immigrants in Criminal Cases

A new House Judiciary Committee report, supported by a Department of Justice investigation, claims that prosecutors in at least eight jurisdictions tailor criminal charges based on a defendant’s immigration status. In Arlington County, Virginia, Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti allegedly prevents ICE detainers and modifies DWI prosecutions for DACA recipients to preserve their status. Fairfax County’s Steve Descano faces a DOJ civil-rights probe after an alleged murder by an undocumented suspect whose charges were repeatedly dismissed.

Colorado’s Michael Dougherty and Denver’s John Walsh have been subpoenaed by the committee for similar policies, while Philadelphia’s Larry Krasner, Brooklyn’s Eric Gonzalez, and Los Angeles officials are also accused of shielding non-citizens from deportation consequences. Lawmakers contend that such practices create a two-tiered justice system that puts U.S. citizens at risk.