Jordan Questions Descano on Fairfax Sanctuary Policies

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano faced sharp questioning from House Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan during a Thursday hearing on sanctuary policies in Fairfax County, Virginia, defending his office's approach to immigration considerations in criminal cases amid a new federal civil rights investigation.

The hearing, held by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement and titled "Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies," examined local practices that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Descano testified alongside Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, who has declined to honor some Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests. Jordan, R-Ohio, repeatedly pressed Descano on his recent removal of a campaign website statement from 2019, which had pledged to consider immigration consequences in charging and plea decisions to avoid "unnecessary destruction of families and communities."

"Why'd you change your website?" Jordan asked. Descano replied that the page reflected a campaign promise made before he took office in 2020, not current policy. "The...