Three of New York’s highest-ranking elected officials appeared caught off guard Thursday when questioned about a House Judiciary Committee report accusing local prosecutors of reducing charges against noncitizens to shield them from deportation.
At a Manhattan news conference, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez were asked about allegations that prosecutors had modified or downgraded criminal charges to help noncitizens avoid convictions carrying immigration consequences.
“Did any of you direct prosecutors to downgrade gun charges to keep illegal immigrants in the United States, as alleged in the Judiciary Committee report?” a reporter asked.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez appeared at a news conference Thursday. A House Judiciary report alleges that New York prosecutors reduced charges against illegal immigrants to help them avoid deportation. (NYPD)
Katz responded by throwing up her hands and shrugging, according to the New York Post.
“Our answer couldn’t help it,” Katz said. A speaker then steered the event back on course, asking for “any other on-topic questions” and moving to the next subject.
The tense exchange came after the release of a 22-page congressional report alleging that similar practices were widespread among New York City prosecutors’ offices.
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The report says Katz’s office has an “Immigration Specialist” who assists with negotiating “immigration-safe” plea agreements and revisiting earlier convictions.
It also points to a 2022 memorandum from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that allegedly directed prosecutors to pursue case outcomes avoiding deportation-related consequences in misdemeanor and non-carceral felony cases.
The document further alleges that Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark’s office trains prosecutors in “Immigration-Conscious Plea Bargaining.” The approach reportedly includes offering offenses that do not trigger deportation, avoiding aggravated felony charges and relying on hypothetical or “legally impossible” charges, including “attempted reckless assault,” which lacks the required legal intent.
Prosecutors were also allegedly told to leave important information out of official conviction records—including references to firearms, domestic relationships and the ages of minor victims—so federal immigration authorities could not use those details as a basis for removal.
Following the news conference, a spokesperson for Katz’s office contacted the Post and rejected the suggestion that defendants in weapons cases receive special leniency.
“We charge any defendant with an illegal firearm with the highest possible charge under the law,” the spokesperson said.
News Media has contacted all five New York City district attorneys’ offices seeking comment.