Angel Mom Cheryl Minter Demands Accountability from Fairfax DA
House Republicans have criticized Democratic Representative Steve Descano from Fairfax for his perceived lenient approach to crime, particularly regarding illegal immigrant offenders. Cheryl Minter, an emotional advocate known as an “angel mom,” shared her tragic experience of losing her daughter to a suspected illegal immigrant. Minter’s testimony emphasized the severe implications of current policies, urging for greater accountability and better collaboration with ICE.
Over the last 16 months, records reveal that Fairfax County has declined to hand over 615 illegal immigrants to ICE, only transferring 11. The county, where there’s just one Republican on the board within Virginia’s most populated area, officially became a sanctuary region in 2021 through the adoption of the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy.
A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid, has shown reluctance to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Documents indicate that in 2025 alone, Kincaid’s office did not transfer 448 illegal immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security and only managed to pass on nine to ICE. In early 2026, an additional 167 illegal immigrants were not deported; only two were.
Since the policy’s implementation, local law enforcement has been prohibited from recognizing ICE detainer requests, which, many argue, directly contributes to recurring criminal behavior among illegal immigrants.
America First Legal (AFL), which uncovered this data, attributed much of the ongoing issues to Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephen Descano. In a recent congressional hearing, he was questioned regarding his prosecutorial decisions involving undocumented immigrants in the county.
Claims have arisen that Fairfax’s policies can lead to preventable tragedies. An example given was the murder of a Fredericksburg woman, allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant with a significant criminal background in Fairfax. The AFL is investigating claims that such prosecutorial practices discriminate against Americans, a sentiment echoed during public hearings.
The AFL referenced incidents like a stabbing along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, historically a safe area, asserting that undocumented individuals involved in such crimes often received light penalties or had charges dismissed.
Descano has consistently maintained that his office’s approach is based on case-by-case assessments. A spokesperson for him described the Justice Department’s investigation into his practices as politically motivated and claimed that the timing of the investigation was suspiciously aligned with his congressional testimony.
In response to safety concerns, they highlighted that their policies reflect community values and aim to uphold a secure environment while ensuring accountability for criminal actions.
AFL attorney Will Scolinos voiced criticism concerning the county’s policies, stating that they shield illegal immigrants while endangering families in Northern Virginia. He called for an urgent reversal of these approaches to protect residents from preventable crimes.
In April 2026, records show 32 illegal immigrants held by the sheriff’s office, none of whom were handed over to ICE. This follows a sudden rise in detainment requests, a pattern also observed in areas like Santa Clara County, California, where numerous ICE requests went unmet.
These figures raise ongoing questions regarding the scrutiny faced by jurisdictions with similar immigration policies, indicating a larger trend towards heightened oversight from the previous administration and advocacy groups alike.
Fox News Digital has sought comment from the Department of Homeland Security regarding these matters.
