Thread: NY governor seeks to counter deportation laws

NY governor seeks to counter deportation laws

May 4, 2010


ALBANY, New York (AP) — Gov. David Paterson on Monday said he will create a panel to help selected immigrants with criminal convictions avoid deportation under "harsh" federal laws.

Paterson said New York would be the first state to create a "pardon panel" aimed specifically at investigating requests of legal immigrants facing deportation because of a past convictions. Paterson said he would pardon immigrants who meet criteria such as rehabilitation and a lack of danger to society.

The Democrat is seeking to combat what he calls harsh and rigid federal measures that result in deporting of immigrants who have shown considerable rehabilitation.

New York's measure comes as the nation is embroiled in conflict over an Arizona law that critics say would encourage racial profiling.

Arizona's measure makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It directs local police to question people about immigration status and demand to see their documents if there is reason to suspect they are in the U.S. illegally. With the federal government's failure to secure the border, Arizona has become a major gateway for drug smuggling and human trafficking from Mexico.

Paterson said he will seek to use a governor's pardon as a tool to blunt what he called the rigid federal rules for deportation even of immigrants who have successfully engaged in a new life in America.

"To be sure, there are some individuals whose crimes are egregious or who pose a threat to public safety. And they are justly removed from the United States," Paterson said. "But there are others for whom the situation is far less clear. For them, our national immigration laws leave no room to consider mitigating circumstances. But in New York, we believe in rehabilitation. And we believe in renewal. And we believe in second chances."

The National Conference of State Legislature says immigration bills are proliferating, with more than 1,500 introduced last year, but none appear similar to Paterson's idea.

Paterson's staff said they know of just a handful of cases that could qualify for a pardon at this point, but expect more after Monday's announcement. The panel will comprise executive branch workers, and no extra cost is expected.

"It's an important initiative to try to provide at least some measure of sanity into the current immigration mess," said Steven Banks, attorney at the New York City Legal Aid Society. "Longtime New Yorkers can be removed from this country as a result of a relatively minor incident in the remote past."

In March, Paterson pardoned Quing Wu, an executive and Chinese immigrant who as a teenager was convicted of a mugging.

"After completing his sentence, finding a job, becoming engaged and living as a productive member of society, he applied to become a United States citizen," Paterson said. "Because of his convictions, Mr. Wu was detained for months and set for deportation to China, a country he left when he was 5 years old and to which he has no connection. To correct this injustice, I pardoned Quing Wu. He had paid his debt."

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /305040009

The Left keeps saying "This is the Federal Government's job" and here they come back at the STATE LEVEL with a suggestion for giving amnesties to criminal illegal aliens...

Hypocrits

The Gov. knows he's toast anyway come his election, so why not do all the pander damage you can?

Paterson said New York would be the first state to create a "pardon panel" aimed specifically at investigating requests of legal immigrants facing deportation because of a past convictions. Paterson said he would pardon immigrants who meet criteria such as rehabilitation and a lack of danger to society.

So totally absurd. Excusing criminals from the law because their federal crimes are not very illegal.

"pardon panel" aimed specifically at investigating requests of legal immigrants facing deportation because of a past convictions.

It's for legal aliens.
Deport as many undesirable aliens as possible. It's time to cut down on legal immigration too. Only those who are truly extraordinarily should be allowed. This country is not some kind of reward system for the poor and unskilled of the world to better themselves. Immigrates should bring more to the table than one more mouth to feed. Help the poor by helping the poor countries they come from and not just a few lucky ones.

"It's an important initiative to try to provide at least some measure of sanity into the current immigration mess," said Steven Banks, attorney at the New York City Legal Aid Society. "Longtime New Yorkers can be removed from this country as a result of a relatively minor incident in the remote past."

In March, Paterson pardoned Quing Wu, an executive and Chinese immigrant who as a teenager was convicted of a mugging.

"Noun 1. mugging - assault with intent to rob
assault - a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped"

A mugging doesn't sound like a "relatively minor incident" to me.

Jaywalking is a "realatively minor incident."
Shoplifting a candy bar is a "relatively minor incident."
Spray painting an overpass is a "relatively minor incident."
Picking a piece of fruit off a neighbors tree without permission is a "relatively minor incident."

Mugging is not a "relatively minor incident."

Gov. David Paterson is a lame duck with his 15 minutes about up. This ridiculous panel is going nowhere fast and one would think, with all the unemployment and other problems facing NY and this country; this misfit would have more important issues to spend his time on- rather than saving from deportation- illegal invaders who are committing additional crimes!

Originally Posted by NoBueno

One would think, with all the unemployment and other problems facing NY and this country; this misfit would have more important issues to spend his time on- rather than saving from deportation- illegal invaders who are committing additional crimes!

For the pro-illegals crowd, Americans are invisible.

Paterson said New York would be the first state to create a "pardon panel" aimed specifically at investigating requests of legal immigrants facing deportation because of a past convictions. Paterson said he would pardon immigrants who meet criteria such as rehabilitation and a lack of danger to society.

He doesn't have the legal authority to do that. If he tries it, he will be guilty of aiding and abeting criminals and I'm sure violating a number of other federal laws. What an idiot!

Unfortunately, this sorry excuse for a Governor is actually acting in accordance with Federal Law by shamelessly handing out pardons like PEZ candy to foreign criminals when most U.S. Citizens who are convicted of a crime cannot even receive a pardon, namely, two U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot an illegal alien drug smuggler, bringing a carload full of dope into the country.

http://cerberus.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ ... -000-.html

TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part IV > § 1227

§ 1227. Deportable aliens

(2) Criminal offenses
(A) General crimes
(i) Crimes of moral turpitude Any alien who—
(I) is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years (or 10 years in the case of an alien provided lawful permanent resident status under section 1255 (j) of this title) after the date of admission, and
(II) is convicted of a crime for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed,
is deportable.
(ii) Multiple criminal convictions Any alien who at any time after admission is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude, not arising out of a single scheme of criminal misconduct, regardless of whether confined therefor and regardless of whether the convictions were in a single trial, is deportable.
(iii) Aggravated felony Any alien who is convicted of an aggravated felony at any time after admission is deportable.
(iv) High speed flight Any alien who is convicted of a violation of section 758 of title 18 (relating to high speed flight from an immigration checkpoint) is deportable.
(v) Failure to register as a sex offender Any alien who is convicted under section 2250 of title 18 is deportable.
(vi) Waiver authorized Clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) shall not apply in the case of an alien with respect to a criminal conviction if the alien subsequent to the criminal conviction has been granted a full and unconditional pardon by the President of the United States or by the Governor of any of the several States.