Full Breakdown
Philadelphia DA’s Immigration Counsel Records Denied Amid GOP Scrutiny
6/13/2026, 2:26:32 AM
Record Request Denial
On Wednesday, Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records denied the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for a 2025 list of criminal cases involving migrants who received assistance from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s immigration counsel, citing the counsel’s revised record-keeping practices as the reason.
Origins of the Immigration Counsel
Created in 2018, Krasner’s immigration counsel was designed to advise foreign defendants on avoiding convictions that trigger removal. The office reviews criminal matters for immigration impact, a model praised for protecting non-citizens but criticized for influencing prosecutions.
Principal Actors
Key participants include District Attorney Larry Krasner, who established the counsel; Stefanie Costa, the current counsel who says the office no longer keeps the requested lists; former counsel Caleb Arnold; Representatives Jim Jordan (OH) and Tom McClintock (CA); and the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Scope of the Counsel’s Work
The office has examined over 400 cases since 2018. Prior watchdog inquiries revealed free consultations for migrants charged with murder, rape and other violent offenses, illustrating the counsel’s involvement in serious criminal matters.
Political Stakes
Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee argue the counsel’s assistance may steer prosecutors toward deportation avoidance, potentially misusing taxpayer funds and affecting public safety. The dispute raises transparency concerns about immigration’s role in prosecutions.
Official Statements & Responses
Krasner’s office called the GOP letter false and authoritarian. The Office of Open Records issued a formal denial, stating the 2025 case list could not be produced. The House Judiciary Committee’s May 4 letter demanded full disclosure of all counsel cases since 2018.
Republican Critique
Representatives Jim Jordan and Tom McClintock contend the counsel enables dangerous foreign nationals to evade immigration consequences, alleging the DA’s office uses taxpayer dollars to coach outside lawyers.
Discrepancies in Recordkeeping
The DA’s office says current record-keeping no longer produces the requested lists, yet earlier disclosures show such documentation existed. The precise number of 2025 cases reviewed remains unspecified.
Key Direct Quotes
- “untruthful, authoritarian propaganda campaign.” — Larry Krasner, District Attorney
- “recordkeeping practices differ from those employed previously.” — Stefanie Costa, Immigration Counsel
- “Even in cases involving murder or crimes against minors, a prosecutor in your office may still consider a criminal alien’s potential deportation or other immigration consequences in making prosecution decisions.” — Jim Jordan, Representative
- “When your office is not openly favoring dangerous foreign nationals over U.S. citizens, it is using taxpayer dollars to coach outside legal professionals on the best strategies to help criminal aliens avoid immigration consequences for their criminality.” — Tom McClintock, Representative
Future Outlook
The GOP committee may seek further legislative oversight or legal action to compel disclosure, while Krasner’s office says it will continue defending its record-keeping stance. Advocacy groups call for greater transparency.
