The country’s largest district attorney’s office has instructed prosecutors to avoid convictions that could lead to deportation if suspects are staying in the country illegally.
Los Angeles County prosecutors will review the suspect’s immigration status and will not seek hardening of crimes that would otherwise “turn an otherwise immigrant-neutral crime into a crime that harms immigrants,” from Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon. I was instructed to take steps to
“All charge determinations shall be made with a view to avoiding or mitigating the adverse immigration consequences of such determinations, if such determinations are known.” fox news“If alternatives to prosecution exist in these circumstances, consistent with public safety, those alternatives must be pursued.”
Gascon plans to make a number of major changes during his tenure, including the elimination of cash bail. Non-serious or non-violent felony misdemeanors, abolition of the death penalty, suspension of prosecution of minors as adults.
Democrats say the change will allow officials to “actually protect the truly vulnerable.” NPR.
“Here’s the gist: The data prove that criminal justice reform is the best way to keep us safe,” he said. murmured “And those who say reform will lead to violence are dead wrong.”
In October 2020, Gascon announced plans to “ensure equivalence in the resolution of undocumented issues.”
“Especially in this politically tense environment, it is imperative that migrants do not face double suspicion, double punishment or deprivation of due process,” he said. Not to give immigration offenders leniency, but to mitigate penalties that are far harsher than the law intended … Many low-level, non-violent crimes automatically meet the mandatory minimum cause deportation as a limited penalty.”
“Local criminal justice officials must be careful not to become part of a pipeline to deportation with a dysfunctional immigration system,” Gascon added. Serious collateral consequences must be taken into account in decisions, petition negotiations, and use of diversion programs DAs must also strive to limit unnecessary immigration exposure. ”
His new directive is one of the first of its kind in the United States, according to the agency. breitbart.
Gascon’s office defends the policy.
“The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, in consultation with our staff, community stakeholders, and immigration experts, will continue to protect vulnerable victims and prioritize safety, while at the same time ensuring that excessive and punitive consequences for the accused are not tolerated. We have created a comprehensive immigration policy that seeks to avoidTo fox“We believe we have achieved that result.”
“We will continue to rely on our staff to provide relevant information to help us determine whether another sentencing is warranted,” Blackwell added.
California is a protected state that does not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to keep illegal immigrants out.