Nassau County officials are looking to crack down on crime that targets immigrants.
The county has started the Immigrant Fraud Investigations office to prosecute crimes against immigrants and encourage them to cooperate with police without fear of deportation.
Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas put Assistant District Attorney Silvia Pastor Finkelstein in charge of the program. Finkelstein, a Madrid-born prosecutor who speaks Spanish and French, says the DA's office treats victims' immigration status with absolute confidentiality.
Nassau County officials say that immigrants are often the victims of anything from violent crimes to financial fraud. They say they are hoping this initiative will help the immigrant community to better trust law enforcement officials.