We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you to grant a pardon to Hector Jose, a longtime New York resident, devoted father, union member, and community member whose application is currently pending before your office.

Hector has lived in New York for over 35 years. He came to this country at just 17 years old, and New York has been his only home ever since. For decades, he has worked steadily, supported his family, contributed to his union, and built deep ties in Hempstead and across Nassau County.

Hector now faces the threat of detention and deportation because of a single, nonviolent conviction from 1995 — a mistake he made when he was just 21 years old. He served his sentence, completed probation, and has not been convicted of any crime in the more than 30 years since. Hector is the father of a 17-year-old college-bound U.S. citizen son, a loving partner of nearly 20 years, and works multiple jobs to support his family.Despite decades of rehabilitation and contribution, he lives every day under the fear of immigration enforcement and separation from his loved ones.

Today Hector lives in constant fear. In Nassau County local police have full license to behave as immigration officials and are terrorizing immigrant communities. As the federal government unleashes its violent attack on immigrants and nonimmigrants alike, we need our elected officials to take bold action that will meaningfully protect the lives of immigrants at risk. Hector does not deserve to live in constant fear of losing his family. He deserves stability, peace of mind, and the chance to participate fully in the life he has worked so hard to build here. This is good for Hector and good for New Yorkers.

You have publicly affirmed your support for immigrant families and your commitment to keeping families together. Governor, in Hector’s case, you can provide this stability to Hector with the stroke of a pen. A pardon would end the uncertainty Hector lives with every day, protect his family from violent separation, allow him to finally travel to see his parents' tombstones and live with dignity and help him pursue U.S. citizenship, the goal he has worked toward for years. I respectfully urge you to grant Hector Jose a pardon and give this father, partner, and community member the security he has earned through decades of hard work.

Keep Hector home. Keep families together.