Immigration is a federal, not state, responsibility, but attorneys for the men hope the pardons will eliminate the rationale for deporting them. Targeting convicted criminals for deportation isn’t a new idea; it was a priority under President Obama, who deported more people than any of his predecessors. Since 1992, he has faced the threat of deportation, but that hadn’t been a real possibility until the Trump administration. For example, Cade said, if an immigrant has a drug conviction that makes them subject to deportation and that conviction is pardoned, then deportation should no longer be an option. Andy Alfaro / Modesto Bee Modesto resident Mony Neth, center, surrounded by family and friends, was recently pardoned by Gov.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 25, 2017 10:52 UTC