Virginia Prosecutor: ‘Sorry,’ but Immigration Law ‘Not Our Job’
14th May 2026
The Foundry.
A controversial Virginia prosecutor apologized to the mother of a daughter slain by an illegal immigrant but still defended his county’s sanctuary policy during a contentious House hearing Thursday.
“I am deeply sorry for your loss, I say that not only as a prosecutor but as a parent of a daughter,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said to Cheryl Minter, mother of Stephanie Minter, during a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.
“I’m sorry for what you are having to endure and I promise that my office is doing everything we can to prosecute the man responsible,” Descano added.
Fairfax County law enforcement refused to honor an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer for Abdul Jalloh, who was released and allegedly killed Stephanie Minter at a local bus stop in February.