Lamont Urges ICE To Stop Deportation Of CT Mom

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont urged U.S. Homeland Security to recognize pardons from the state Board of Pardons and Paroles at an equal level to a governor pardon when dealing with deportations.

Lamont wrote Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about Wayzaro Walton, who came to the U.S. as a child. She is married to a U.S. Citizen and has a child who is also a U.S. citizen. Walton was convicted of two non-violent offenses, the most recent of which was seven years ago. She was detained earlier this week and is expected to be deported.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is refusing to recognize the pardoning authority of the state board in its decision.

“An individual granted a pardon by the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles – just like an individual granted a pardon in another state – is no longer considered by law to have been convicted or otherwise adjudicated guilty of the pardoned crime,” Lamont wrote. “Failure by ICE to acknowledge the pardoning authority of the State of Connecticut creates an unfair and unjust result for the citizens of our state."

Walton was convicted of third-degree larceny for shoplifting in 2006 when she was 19-years-old. Dozens of her supporters rallied earlier this week, according to WFSB. She moved from England when she was 4-years-old.