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Committee hears briefing on bill to speed pardons and clemency petitions for people facing deportation
Summary
Senate Bill 5103 would create an expedited process for pardons, commutations or restoration of civil rights when petitioners face urgent deportation risks and clarifies eligibility regardless of immigration status. Committee staff briefed members and proponents urged faster review capacity for long‑time residents with old convictions.
Senate Bill 5103, which would create an expedited clemency process for petitioners who face an urgent deportation threat, was briefed Tuesday before the Washington State Senate Human Services Committee.
Will Tronson, staff counsel to the committee, told members that "Senate Bill 5103 addresses the pardons and clemency process" and that the measure would allow the Clemency and Pardons Board to use an expedited pathway when a petitioner indicates an urgent need, "including but not limited to, a pending deportation order or deportation proceeding." Tronson said a fiscal note found no significant financial impact.
The bill matters, proponents said, because long‑time Washington residents with old criminal convictions can face mandatory removal under federal immigration law regardless of rehabilitation, family ties or community ties. "Clemency is a critical tool to helping families keep families together and prevent unjust deportations," Senator Bob Hasegawa told the…
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