Philadelphia — In a move raising serious questions about transparency, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office is now refusing to disclose the criminal records of migrants receiving taxpayer-funded legal assistance—after previously providing that very same information. Convenient timing, right?
According to responses given to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, Krasner’s team claims it can no longer release the charges tied to foreign defendants because it “no longer keeps such a list.” This comes after earlier reports revealed that migrants receiving legal aid had been charged with serious crimes, including murder and rape—despite prior assurances that assistance would be limited to low-level offenses.
Krasner, who created the immigration counsel role back in 2018, has positioned the program as a way to help non-citizens avoid convictions that could lead to deportation. The initiative is just one of several reforms implemented during his tenure—backed by $1.9 million in campaign support from left-wing megadonor George Soros.
Critics, however, aren’t buying the explanation. Matthew O’Brien, Deputy Executive Director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), didn’t mince words. He accused Krasner’s office of violating fundamental legal ethics by effectively prosecuting individuals while also shielding them from immigration consequences—on the taxpayer’s dime.
“This kind of blatantly unethical behavior would result in the average lawyer being suspended or disbarred,” O’Brien said, adding that the sudden lack of records only deepens concerns about what the office may be trying to conceal.
What makes the situation even more striking is that Krasner’s office had previously released similar records to outside groups, including organizations now affiliated with FAIR. Those documents showed that former Immigration Counsel Caleb Arnold had consulted with migrants facing serious and violent charges—directly contradicting public statements that the program focused only on minor cases.
Now, with the office refusing to provide updated information, taxpayers are left in the dark about who exactly is benefiting from these services—and why.
Meanwhile, Krasner has continued to take a hard stance against immigration enforcement, even suggesting in the past that agents could face arrest if he deems their actions unlawful. At the same time, he maintains that his policies are aimed at ensuring fairness and protecting vulnerable individuals within the justice system.
Still, the contrast between past transparency and current secrecy is hard to ignore. And as questions continue to mount, one thing is clear: accountability matters—and the public isn’t likely to stop asking for answers anytime soon.