ICE has reportedly been ignoring Connecticut state pardons, as the agency is currently attempting to deport a lawful permanent resident despite her pardon from the state. Per federal immigration law, a pardon should be an automatic waiver against deportation. However, the federal government is interpreting the law to only apply to pardons granted by a governor or president. The problem is that in Connecticut, the governor’s office delegates its authority to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Even with the difference in how the state grants pardons, the Connecticut Attorney General stated that ICE has always recognized Connecticut’s pardons in the past. Five other state governors also delegate their power to pardon; will ICE treat all these states the same?

– Weekly Immigration Briefing by Olivia Hester, Immigration Law Analyst at Docketwise.

Posted in: Immigration