New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to 29 people on Monday, including immigrants who are facing deportation.
In a New Year’s Eve, statement, the Democrat took a shot at President Trump for the partial government shutdown, which stems from an impasse over border security funding.
“While President Trump shuts down the federal government over his obsession with keeping immigrants out, New York stands strong in our support for immigrant communities,” Cuomo said. “These actions will help keep immigrant families together and take a critical step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York.”
Twenty-two of the individuals who received pardons were immigrants who, because of convictions mainly related to drug crimes, could have been deported.
Among the seven others who had their sentences commuted are four convicted murderers and three others behind bars for armed robbery.
The statement from Cuomo’s office said all 29 individuals “have demonstrated substantial evidence of rehabilitation and a commitment
Cuomo will be sworn in for a third term on Tuesday on Ellis Island, which for about 60 years until 1954 processed millions of immigrants entering the U.S.
