The principle that people should be treated equally by the justice system is so fundamental to our national identity that the phrase “Equal Justice Under Law” is inscribed above the entrance to the Supreme Court. But as a recent report from the House Judiciary Committee shows, in some jurisdictions, certain classes of people are allowed to commit crimes without equal punishment, thus creating a two-tiered justice system. And it appears the practice is far more widespread than many realize.

The House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement released a staff report last week on the sanctuary policies of Arlington County, Virginia. The report found that the county has a policy directing police not to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement officials and has released 42 convicted criminals into the public instead of surrendering them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.