Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken a decisive step in issuing clemency to a group of migrants with old criminal records, including Somchith "Sammy" Vatthanavong, who at the age of 16 was convicted of manslaughter after fatally shooting a man in a Brooklyn pool hall. Vatthanavong, who arrived in the United States as a 7-year-old refugee, has since avoided deportation back to Laos, as was reported by Gothamist. His pardon was part of a series of clemencies issued last month by Hochul, who stated, "Everyone deserves a second chance, and my story is proof that when our communities fight together, we can protect each other."
Mekong NYC, a local advocacy organization, has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by more than 15,000 Southeast Asian individuals in the U.S. who are at risk of deportation due to past convictions. Vatthanavong’s pardon was granted shortly before a scheduled check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, narrowly preventing his removal. In addition, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund successfully reopened his immigration case and vacated a 25-year-old removal order to further protect his status.
While Hochul's pardons cover a total of 13 migrants, the 52-year-old Laotian Vatthanavong has definitively been the face of this action. The case, previously highlighted in a report by New York Post, showcases the governor's stance against deporting individuals with longstanding ties to the community. "They've paid their debt, and I'll be damned if I let them be deported to a country where they don't know a soul," Hochul told the New York Times, championing her decision.
The recent pardons reflect a change in tone from Governor Hochul, who had previously indicated support for cooperating with ICE and other federal agencies in deporting migrants with criminal records. "There is no sanctuary in New York for people who commit crimes," stated a memo from Hochul's office issued prior to this year. In contrast, a more recent statement from her office noted, "After careful deliberation, I’m granting clemency to thirteen individuals who have demonstrated remorse for their actions and exemplify a commitment to bettering their communities," suggesting a shift toward a more lenient stance for individuals who have completed their sentences and made positive contributions, the New York Post reported.
Hochul's office has not yet provided information on whether she intends to continue exercising her clemency powers in similar cases. This year, 84 eligible pardon applications and 186 commutation requests have been submitted, reflecting ongoing activity related to immigration, rehabilitation, and the use of clemency by the state.
