Dear friend of IDP,
As 2024 draws to a close, we celebrate a victory that your support made possible. On December 20th, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 21 pardons and 1 commutation, including Pablo Pulido, a long time New Yorker, father, a grandfather and a 30-year public servant of his town.
Before the pardon, Mr. Pulido was at risk of deportation as a result of two convictions from 1987 and 2006. He reached out to IDP’s hotline one year ago. The immigration penalties of his convictions changed after the Second Circuit decision in U.S. v. Minter, a case in which IDP played a pivotal role and conducted extensive community outreach. But due to the complexities and harshness of immigration law, ensuring Mr. Pulido was free from deportation required a pardon. IDP took on the intensive advocacy to build support for relief for Mr. Pulido and his family. We eventually gained the support of the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Mr. Pulidos Assembly Member, and a number of community members and ultimately our campaign was successful. After receiving the news that he no longer had to fear deportation, Mr. Pulido said:
“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.”
Our work to give Mr. Pulido a fair chance would not have been possible without your support. Tomorrow is your last chance to make a difference for immigrant families in 2025. Together, we can fight back against the harmful systems that criminalize and dehumanize people seeking safety and freedom.
