Virginia Prosecutor Faces Backlash for Calling Deportations 'Perversion of Justice'

Republican lawmakers blast Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano over controversial comments and plea deals for migrant murderers.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:27pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a government building or courthouse, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and deep shadows cast across the facade, creating a sense of quiet contemplation and unease.The debate over immigration enforcement and criminal justice reform plays out in the shadows of a local courthouse.Fairfax Today

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano is under fire for controversial comments he made in 2019 calling the deportation of illegal immigrants 'a perversion of justice.' Descano, who was elected on a platform of criminal justice reform, is also facing criticism for plea deals his office offered to two admitted migrant murderers, allowing them to receive just five-year prison sentences. Republican lawmakers have blasted Descano's views and actions, accusing him of carrying on the 'legacy of lawlessness' under the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Why it matters

Descano's comments and actions highlight the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and criminal justice reform, with conservatives arguing that deportation is a necessary part of the justice system and liberals like Descano viewing it as unfair. The case also raises questions about plea bargaining and sentencing, especially for violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

The details

In 2019, while running for office, Descano said on his campaign website that 'if two people commit the same crime, but only one's punishment includes deportation, that's a perversion of justice.' His office has also recently come under fire for plea deals offered to two migrant men, Maldin Anibal Guzman and Wis Alonso Sorto-Portillo, who pleaded guilty to the 2024 killing of Fairfax County resident Nicacio Hernandez Gonzalez. Descano's office defended the plea deals, saying they were 'the only way to ensure that the defendants were incarcerated for this brutal murder' due to a lack of physical evidence.

  • In 2019, Descano made the controversial comments about deportation while running for office.
  • Earlier this month, Guzman and Sorto-Portillo received five-year prison sentences after pleading guilty to the 2024 killing of Nicacio Hernandez Gonzalez.

The players

Steve Descano

The Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney who has faced backlash for his comments about deportation and plea deals offered to migrant murderers.

Maldin Anibal Guzman

One of two migrant men who pleaded guilty to the 2024 killing of Nicacio Hernandez Gonzalez and received a five-year prison sentence.

Wis Alonso Sorto-Portillo

One of two migrant men who pleaded guilty to the 2024 killing of Nicacio Hernandez Gonzalez and received a five-year prison sentence.

Nicacio Hernandez Gonzalez

The Fairfax County resident who was killed in 2024, leading to the controversial plea deals for his murderers.

Marsha Blackburn

The Republican Senator from Tennessee who criticized Descano's comments and actions, accusing him of carrying on the 'legacy of lawlessness' under the Biden administration.

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What they’re saying

“Deportation isn't a perversion of justice; it is justice.”

— Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator

“Democrats like Steve Descano are doing everything they can to carry on Joe Biden's legacy of lawlessness.”

— Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator

What’s next

House Republicans are bringing Descano in to testify for a hearing set for May 14 titled: 'Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies.'

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between criminal justice reform efforts and immigration enforcement, with conservatives arguing that deportation is a necessary part of the justice system and liberals like Descano viewing it as unfair. It also raises questions about plea bargaining and sentencing, especially for violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.