Far-left DA enacts new policy to help immigrants dodge deportation if their crimes would warrant it

Far-left Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón has issued a new directive telling prosecutors to consider "adverse immigration consequences" when criminally charging non-U.S. citizens.

What are the details?

The directive, which Fox News obtained, says Los Angeles County prosecutors should consider the impact criminal charges will have on the immigration status of criminal suspect.

Prosecutors should avoid adding criminal enhancements "that would turn an otherwise immigration neutral offense into an immigration damaging one" and should seek diversion programs, like plea deals, to help immigrants avoid deportation, the document says, Fox News reported.

Therefore, criminal suspects should "present information concerning adverse immigration consequences" to the DA's office, according to the guidance.

"All charging determinations shall be undertaken with the goal of avoiding or mitigating the adverse immigration consequences of a decision when known. ... Under these circumstances and when, consistent with public safety alternatives to filing charges exist, those alternatives shall be pursued," the document declares.

Overall, the directive coheres with Gascón's far-left criminal justice philosophy, which helped him win election but has been broadly unpopular in practice.

There has been an attempt to recall Gascón. But that campaign failed earlier this year when supporters of the recall failed to gather enough signatures to initiate the recall process. Ironically, poll data show that a recall would likely be successful, according to the Los Angeles Times.

What did the DA's office say?

The Los Angeles DA's Office defended the policy.

"The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office consulted with our staff, community stakeholders and immigration experts to craft a comprehensive Immigration policy that protects vulnerable victims and prioritizes safety while attempting to avoid overly punitive consequences for the accused," the office told Fox News in a statement.

"We believe that we have achieved that result," the statement added. "We will continue to rely upon our staff to provide us with relevant information that will assist in making the determination if alternative sentencing is warranted."