December 20, 2024
Contact: Yasmine Farhang, [email protected]
ALBANY, NY – Today, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 21 pardons and 1 commutation. We are thrilled for the New Yorkers who benefit today and for whom these clemencies mean stability, family unity, and, in many cases, critical protections in a moment of fear and urgency for so many immigrant New Yorkers. New Yorkers like Pablo Pulido, a long time New Yorker, a father, a grandfather, a 30-year public servant of his town, and a former 9/11 volunteer firefighter, who as a result of this pardon is able to apply for U.S. citizenship. Mr. Pulido will no longer have to fear being torn away from his family, including his grandson who he is a primary caregiver for. Mr. Pablo Puildo states:
“First I’d like to thank God for giving me the privilege of giving me a path forward with this pardon. Thank you to the Immigrant Defense Project for all of their support, as they have advocated for me 110% and it is great to know that people care. I would also like to thank Governor Hochul for this opportunity. There are a lot of people out there that deserve a pardon and are scared for their future, because it is uncertain given what is coming in January, and an uncertain future is not good for the mind, body, or soul. I also want to thank my family who has been with me every step of the way. I have done everything I can to be on a new path—I feel like an elephant has been lifted off of my shoulders. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in helping me.”
These clemencies are life-changing, and we are encouraged to see an increase in the numbers of those benefiting as a whole. However, we are deeply disappointed that the Governor has granted only one commutation, leaving thousands of incarcerated New Yorkers in limbo at the hands of the dehumanizing and racially biased state criminal legal system, without the chance to be reunited with their families this holiday season. For thousands of New Yorkers, they now face an agonizing wait to learn if they will continue to face separation from their loved ones due to unjustly long sentences, or whether they will be permanently separated from their loved ones by the Trump Administration’s inhumane mass deportation plans.
“Today’s announcement, while we celebrate, also shows that New Yorkers are waiting too long and with too little information about their clemency requests,” said Linda Flor Brito, Senior Policy & Campaigns Organizer with the Immigrant Defense Project. “The legislature must urgently pass the Clemency Justice Act (S.222/A.155), which would make New York’s clemency process more transparent and accessible. Furthermore, at a time when New Yorkers are looking to our Governor for leadership, Governor Hochul is failing to make good on her commitments to grant clemency on a rolling basis throughout the year and increase transparency and communication with applicants. Time is up. With an incoming Trump administration underway, Governor Hochul can cement her legacy as a Governor that stands with New Yorkers or a Governor who stood by and did nothing to protect the communities she promised to protect.”
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About the Immigrant Defense Project
The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) is a New York-based nonprofit that works to secure fairness and justice for immigrants in the racially-biased U.S. criminal and immigration systems. IDP fights to end the current era of unprecedented mass criminalization, detention and deportation through a multi-pronged strategy including advocacy, litigation, legal support, community partnerships, and strategic communications. Visit www.immigrantdefenseproject.org and follow @ImmDefense.