Aggravated Felonies

The name of the document may not always determine whether the DHS will regard it as a pardon.  A document called an “amnesty” may be accepted by the DHS as equivalent to a pardon.[271]  Commutations of sentence or release on parole are not regarded as “pardons.”[272]  An order restoring civil rights may be considered equivalent to a pardon, for immigration purposes, if it satisfies all the requirements of a pardon: a grant by the governor unconditionally removing all disabilities.[273]  After a 1947 amendment of Wisconsin law, a Wisconsin restoration of civil rights is no longer regarded as equivalent to a full and unconditional pardon for immigration purposes.[274]

The immigration courts need not grant a stay of deportation to enable the noncitizen to apply for a pardon.  The decision whether to issue a stay is a discretionary one.[275]

[271] Marino v. INS, 537 F.2d 686 (2d Cir. 1976); Matter of Adamo, 10 I. & N. Dec. 593 (BIA 1964); Matter of B, 7 I. & N. Dec. 166 (BIA 1956).

[272] Brazier v. Commissioner, 5 F.2d 162 (1924).

[273] Matter of S, 5 I. & N. Dec. 10 (INS Central Office 1952, BIA 1953) (Washington);  Matter of G, 4 I. & N. Dec. 73 (BIA 1950) (Wisconsin).  Cf. Matter of O, 3 I. & N. Dec. 209 (BIA 1948, AG 1950) (Nebraska and Illinois).

[274] Matter of R, 8 I. & N. Dec. 677 (BIA 1960).

[275] Vermiglio v. Butterfield, 223 F.2d 804 (6th Cir. 1955); Houvardas v. Wixon, 169 F.2d 980 (9th Cir. 1949).