NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Secretly Pardoned a Convicted Killer to Shield Him From Deportation [WATCH]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has granted pardons to 13 migrants with past criminal convictions, including a Laotian man convicted of manslaughter more than three decades ago.

The clemency actions were disclosed by her office only after the New York Times reported on them, according to the New York Post.

Among those pardoned was Somchith Vatthanavong, 52, who was convicted of manslaughter in 1990 after shooting and killing a man during a fight outside a pool hall.

Evil Democrat Kathy Hochul pardoned 13 illegals to keep them from being deported. One, a Laotian refugee who killed a man in a 1988 Brooklyn pool hall, was later convicted only of manslaughter in 1990 because Democrats are soft on crime. I’m surprised he was charged at all. pic.twitter.com/SkJ6sGZey2

— Mike Engleman🇺🇲 (@RealHickory) August 17, 2025

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Vatthanavong, who came to the United States illegally following the Vietnam War, told the Times that he acted in self-defense.

“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 newspaper.

“And to those who would demonize them to score political points, I ask: Where is your compassion?”

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The pardons apply to migrants who have already completed their prison sentences.

While the records of conviction remain intact, Hochul’s action prevents immigration authorities from using those convictions as grounds for deportation.

The move marks a departure from positions Hochul’s office outlined earlier this year in testimony to Congress regarding state cooperation with federal agencies.

“There is no sanctuary in New York for people who commit crimes. New York is committed to cracking down on gang members and violent criminals, and State officials cooperate with ICE and CBP in many circumstance[s],” her office wrote in a memo defending the state’s sanctuary policies.

In addition to Vatthanavong, Hochul said the pardoned group included lawful permanent residents from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa.

She did not specify whether others beyond Vatthanavong had entered the United States illegally.

In a statement released on the governor’s website, Hochul said the pardons were issued after extensive consideration.

“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,” Hochul said.

Federal immigration records show that Vatthanavong had been ordered deported after serving his sentence, but the removal was never carried out.

U.S. authorities have faced difficulties in enforcing deportations to Laos, as the country has declined to accept deported nationals for years.

The pardons come at a time when Hochul is managing increasing political pressure surrounding immigration policies in New York.

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BREAKING NEWS:

Kathy Hochul was just caught red handed for secretly pardoning a violent illegal felon.

Hochul’s dangerous secret pardon of this violent criminal illegal, who should have been deported 35 years ago after his conviction, is yet another example of her…

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) August 15, 2025

Her office did not indicate whether additional pardons are planned, but officials confirmed that she has received 84 pending pardon applications and 186 commutation requests since January.

Hochul has previously emphasized balancing compassion with public safety in her clemency decisions.

In this case, the pardons are limited to shielding recipients from immigration consequences, without erasing their criminal records.

The announcement adds to ongoing debates over sanctuary state policies and immigration enforcement.

While Hochul has defended her state’s cooperation with federal agencies in some cases, critics have argued that broad clemency protections complicate enforcement and raise concerns about repeat offenders avoiding deportation.