Prosecutor faces political attack controversy after halting probe into undocumented immigrants; Justice Department launches investigation

The Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's decision to close an investigation into undocumented immigrants is drawing controversy. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an inquiry into allegations that the prosecutor's office provided preferential treatment to undocumented immigrants, a process examining potential violations of individual civil rights. The prosecutor's decision stemmed from a complaint filed by the family of a murder victim. The DOJ is investigating whether Commonwealth's Attorney Descano's office 'considered immigration consequences' during its investigative and plea-bargaining processes. This action comes amid a recent string of violent crime cases in Fairfax County involving undocumented immigrants.

Descano responded to the DOJ's announcement of the investigation last week, claiming it was a politically motivated misuse of the Trump administration's Justice Department. He added that the DOJ's letter distorts a policy his office has publicly enforced for over five years. He also noted that the investigation was announced just before he was scheduled to testify before Congress.

Descano, whose election was fueled by donations, is slated to testify before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Integration, and Security this Thursday. The hearing is titled 'Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary City Policies.'