Days after Governor Paterson pardoned him for crimes he committed as a youth, Qing Hong Wu was released from a NJ immigration facility—without being told about the pardon. The NY Times reports that since Wu had no cash or a cellphone, he walked from the Port Authority to his cousin's apartment on Spring Street, "It was a great hour. Even though I was tired, I was so happy. I thought immigration made a mistake, so I figured I’d enjoy it before they come and get me."
Wu was sentenced to three years in a reformatory for muggings he committed age 15 with friends; at the time, Judge Michael Correiro, told him that he would stand by him if Wu used his time there to turn his life around. Wu did that, earning his GED there, and later received his Associate's Degree and became an IT executive. But an application for citizenship (Wu legally immigrated to NYC as a child) and his honest disclosure about his youthful offenses prompted immigration officials to jail him, especially since a 1996 law prohibits judges from taking into account rehabilitation.
The Times publicized his plight last month, and as many, including Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. and now-retired Judge Correiro, campaigned for Wu's pardon. Wu spoke at a press conference, expressing his appreciation for letters of support, the sad situation at the immigration jail (the other detainees included "people with mental health problems, two pre-operative transsexuals, elderly folks that can barely walk"), and his desire to become a citizen.
Also, Correiro met Wu for the first time since 1996; the former judge told NY1, “This young man has really been a model for other young men who can improve their lives. My only hope is that we can find mechanisms that will help remove the indelible stigma of childhood convictions on young men who can demonstrate, after an appropriate time, that they can lead a good, constructive life.”
