State Governor Hochul grants pardon to an NY resident condemned for manslaughter, with the intention of preventing his deportation.
Laotian Refugee Granted Pardon, Avoids Deportation
In a heartwarming turn of events, Somchith "Sammy" Vatthanavong, a 52-year-old Laotian refugee who has lived most of his life in the United States, has been granted a pardon for a decades-old manslaughter conviction. This pardon, issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul last month, has saved Vatthanavong from the threat of deportation by the Trump administration.
The pardon came just a day before a scheduled check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mekong NYC, an organization advocating for the local Southeast Asian community, announced the pardon earlier this week. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund also played a significant role in helping Vatthanavong reopen his immigration case and vacate a 25-year-old removal order following the pardon.
Vatthanavong's manslaughter charges stem from a fight at a Brooklyn pool hall that escalated on Christmas Eve in 1988. According to a report in the New York Times, Vatthanavong stated that he shot a man, Miguel Melero, after being threatened with a knife. Vatthanavong has not held a gun since the incident.
The Trump administration had stepped up pressure on Laos to deport its citizens from the U.S., but Laos had not traditionally cooperated with such deportations. The pardon has provided Vatthanavong with a new lease on life, as he expressed fear at the thought of being sent back to Laos.
Vatthanavong described the pardon as feeling like being reborn. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from his legal representatives and human rights organizations, including Mekong NYC, who have been advocating on his behalf in recent months.
Socheatta Meng, the executive director at Mekong NYC, expressed continued commitment to organizing the Southeast Asian community to ensure all people are free and safe. Vatthanavong also stated that everyone deserves a second chance, and his story is proof that when communities fight together, they can protect each other.
As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comment regarding Vatthanavong's pardon. However, the pardon has undoubtedly brought relief and hope to Vatthanavong and his community.
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