NY Officials Silent on Claims of Downgraded Charges for Immigrants
District attorneys, including New York AG Letitia James, declined to comment on a congressional investigation alleging instructions to reduce charges to prevent deportation.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and district attorneys Melinda Katz and Eric Gonzalez remained silent Thursday when asked about allegations that prosecutors were instructed to downgrade criminal charges against undocumented immigrants to shield them from deportation. The inquiry stems from a Republican-led House Judiciary Committee investigation.
A reporter pressed the officials during a gun-safety press conference on whether they had ordered prosecutors to reduce charges, including in serious cases, to prevent defendants from facing deportation consequences. None of the three provided an answer.
Katz eventually stated, "Our answer couldn't help it," before the press conference moved on to other topics.
The congressional report alleges that district attorneys in New York City directed prosecutors to consider the immigration status of defendants when handling criminal cases. Specifically, the investigation cited internal communications suggesting Katz advised staff to "not get caught up in the label of felonies, misdemeanors." The probe also raised concerns about "immigration-conscious plea bargaining" in the Bronx, with Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark accused of issuing similar directives.
These allegations have prompted questions about whether defendants accused of serious crimes may have received more lenient plea deals due to their immigration status, potentially prioritizing immigration concerns over the gravity of the charges.
