Three of New York’s most prominent elected officials appeared caught off guard Thursday when questioned about a House Judiciary Committee report alleging that prosecutors deliberately reduced charges against noncitizens to help them avoid 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 claims that city prosecutors had modified or lowered charges to prevent noncitizens from receiving convictions that could lead to removal from the United States.
“Did any of you order prosecutors to downgrade gun charges to keep illegal immigrants in the U.S., 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 downgraded charges against illegal immigrants to help them avoid deportation. (NYPD)
Katz responded by raising her hands and shrugging, according to the New York Post.
“Our answer couldn’t help it,” Katz said, before a speaker intervened and asked for “any other on-topic questions,” bringing the exchange to an end.
The questioning came after the release of a 22-page congressional report that described alleged practices across 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 reducing prior convictions.
It also referenced a 2022 memorandum from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that allegedly directed prosecutors to pursue case outcomes avoiding deportation consequences for misdemeanors and non-carceral felonies.
The report further alleges that the office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark trains prosecutors in “Immigration-Conscious Plea Bargaining.” The reported tactics include offering offenses that do not carry deportation consequences, avoiding aggravated felony charges and using hypothetical or “legally impossible” charges, including “attempted reckless assault,” which does not contain the required legal intent.
Prosecutors were also allegedly told to leave important details out of official conviction records, including whether a gun was involved, the nature of domestic relationships and the ages of minor victims. The report claims such omissions could keep federal immigration authorities from relying on those facts as grounds for removal.
Following the news conference, a spokesperson for Katz told the Post that the office does not offer leniency in weapons cases.
“We charge any defendant with an illegal firearm with the highest possible charge under the law,” the spokesperson said.
News Outlet has contacted all five New York City district attorneys’ offices for comment.
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