{"id":2599651,"date":"2026-05-06T18:56:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-investigates-virginia-prosecutor-over-alleged-illegal-immigrant-favoritism\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T19:00:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T23:00:06","slug":"doj-investigates-virginia-prosecutor-over-alleged-illegal-immigrant-favoritism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-investigates-virginia-prosecutor-over-alleged-illegal-immigrant-favoritism\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ investigates Virginia prosecutor over alleged illegal immigrant favoritism"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-investigates-virginia-prosecutor-over-alleged-illegal-immigrant-favoritism%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599651&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-announces-investigation-into-andrew-brown-jr-shooting\/\" title=\"FBI Announces ... Into Andrew Brown Jr. Shooting\">civil rights investigation<\/a> into Fairfax County Commonwealth\u2019s Attorney steve Descano, alleging his office gave preferential treatment to illegal immigrants in criminal cases. in a letter, DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon said investigators will examine whether Descano\u2019s office violated federal law-such as Title VI and the Safe Streets Act-by considering \u201cimmigration consequences\u201d when making charging decisions, plea deals, and sentencing recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ\u2019s review will also assess whether the office discriminated against U.S. citizens and whether there is a \u201cpattern or practice\u201d of depriving people of constitutional or federal rights. The investigation focuses on a 2020 policy directing prosecutors to account for potential immigration outcomes, including deportation, for defendants. Dhillon said the inquiry will determine whether prosecutors offered \u201csweetheart deals\u201d that put the community at risk.<\/p>\n<p>The move follows growing political criticism of Descano over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-backs-california-sheriff-fighting-states-illegal-sanctuary-law-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"DOJ backs California sheriff fighting state\u2019s \u2018illegal\u2019 sanctuary law - Washington Examiner\">sanctuary-style policies<\/a> and alleged mishandling of repeat offenders, including calls for congressional testimony related to cases involving serious violence.Descano is scheduled to testify at a May 14 congressional hearing on Fairfax County\u2019s policies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> on Wednesday opened a civil rights investigation into <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fairfax-county\/\">Fairfax County<\/a> Commonwealth\u2019s Attorney Steve Descano over allegations his office gave preferential treatment to illegal immigrants in criminal cases, intensifying scrutiny of one of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a>\u2019s most prominent progressive prosecutors.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/crt\/media\/1439576\/dl?inline=&#038;utm_medium=email&#038;utm_source=govdelivery\">letter<\/a> sent Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/harmeet-dhillon\/\">Harmeet Dhillon<\/a> said the DOJ\u2019s Civil Rights Division is examining whether Descano\u2019s office violated federal law by considering \u201cimmigration consequences\u201d when making charging decisions, plea agreements, and sentencing recommendations.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4557924\/doj-ucla-race-based-admission-medical-school\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ says UCLA used race-based admissions for medical school<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4557550\/appeals-court-strike-down-biden-fcc-digital-equity\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court strikes down Biden-era FCC \u2018digital equity\u2019 rules<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4557205\/louise-lucas-office-raided-by-fbi\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democratic Virginia state senator\u2019s office raided by FBI<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Steve Descano, commonwealth\u2019s attorney-elect, Fairfax County, Virginia, speaks at an event at the Center for American Progress about Virginia\u2019s newly elected progressive prosecutors on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin\/The Washington Post via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The inquiry will examine whether the office discriminated against U.S. citizens by \u201coffering preferential treatment\u201d to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/soros-backed-philadelphia-da-considered-helping-non-citizens-accused-of-rape-murder-avoid-deportation-records-show\/\" title=\"Soros-Backed Philadelphia DA Considered Helping Non-Citizens Accused Of Rape, Murder Avoid Deportation, Records Show\">illegal immigrants charged<\/a> with crimes, according to the department.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cI have authorized a full investigation to determine whether the [Descano] has engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act,\u201d Dhillon wrote, referring to federal laws that prohibit recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin.<\/p>\n<p>Descano, who has served as Fairfax County\u2019s top prosecutor since 2020, campaigned as a progressive reform prosecutor and has received more than $600,000 in campaign backing from the Justice and Public Safety PAC, a political committee heavily funded by Democratic megadonor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-soros\/\">George Soros<\/a>, according to public campaign finance records.<\/p>\n<p>The department is also reviewing the office under a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal law enforcement misconduct statute<\/a> to determine whether prosecutors engaged in \u201ca pattern or practice\u201d of depriving individuals of rights protected under the Constitution or federal law.<\/p>\n<p>At the center of the inquiry is a 2020 policy issued by Descano\u2019s office directing prosecutors to consider the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fairfaxcounty.gov\/commonwealthattorney\/sites\/commonwealthattorney\/files\/assets\/documents\/fairfax%20cwa%20-%20plea%20bargaining,%20charging%20decisions,%20and%20sentencing%20policy.pdf\">\u201cimmigration consequences\u201d<\/a> defendants could face from criminal convictions, including possible deportation, according to a signed memorandum.<\/p>\n<p>Dhillon said investigators are examining whether those policies resulted in unequal treatment for defendants based on immigration status or national origin.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon speaks during a news conference on charges related to the deadly shooting of Israeli Embassy staff during a news conference at the attorney general\u2019s office for the District of Columbia in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis investigation will uncover whether this prosecutor is putting the community at risk in offering sweetheart deals to illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes,\u201d Dhillon said in a statement Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ\u2019s investigation comes just months after a pro-police group known as the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund called on the Trump administration to begin an investigation into Descano, citing in part an incident from 2019 when first-degree murder charges were dropped against Marvin Morales Ortez, despite court transcripts indicating that Descano\u2019s office believed the then-defendant was present when the victim, Guillen Mejia, was killed after an ambushing involving Morales Ortez.<\/p>\n<p>Descano in recent months has faced mounting criticism from Republicans over his sanctuary policies and handling of repeat offenders, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4524982\/fairfax-county-congressional-hearing-sanctuary-policies\/\">has even been called to testify<\/a> about his alleged mishandling of criminal cases later this month before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4484074\/fairfax-county-sanctuary-policies-illegal-immigrant-murdering-innocent-woman\/\">HOW FAIRFAX COUNTY\u2019S SANCTUARY POLICIES LED TO AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MURDERING AN INNOCENT WOMAN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Criticism of Descano has only intensified following the February killing of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4484074\/fairfax-county-sanctuary-policies-illegal-immigrant-murdering-innocent-woman\/\">Stephanie Minter<\/a>, a 41-year-old Fredericksburg mother who was fatally attacked at a Fairfax County bus stop. Authorities charged Abdul Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national with more than two dozen prior arrests, in the killing. As details emerged after the murder, critics accused Descano\u2019s office of repeatedly dropping violent charges against Jalloh despite warnings about his alleged dangerousness.<\/p>\n<p>Descano on May 14 will appear for a congressional hearing examining Fairfax County\u2019s sanctuary-style policies, where he and Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid are expected to testify.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ launches civil rights probe into Steve Descano\u2019s handling of illegal immigrants<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2599652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-1233843788.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7076,33009,3976,6215,5468],"class_list":["post-2599651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-doj","tag-illegal-immigration","tag-investigation","tag-prosecutor","tag-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-1233843788.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599651"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599655,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599651\/revisions\/2599655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}