In June 2025, immigration officials presented Sae Joon Park with a stark choice: depart voluntarily or face detention and deportation. Park, a Purple Heart recipient, took the difficult step of self-deportation last year, but has now received a pardon in a move that may help him return to the U.S.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul offered clemency to Park by erasing his previous convictions for bail jumping and drug possession. He was one of six individuals granted clemency due to significant positive changes in their lives. “They earned their second chance through rehabilitation and can now establish their futures once again,” Governor Hochul stated.
Following the pardon, Park expressed immense gratitude and renewed hope. He acknowledged he still has a long road ahead but is optimistic about returning to the U.S. Park thanked his legal team, advocates, and the many supporters who have backed him and his family throughout his ordeal.
Park’s situation has caught national attention over the past year. In December 2025, during a congressional hearing, Representative Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island questioned former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about Park’s case. Noem agreed to review it, acknowledging Park’s sacrifice and dedication to the U.S.
Park’s forced relocation to South Korea resulted from a removal order related to his convictions. Arriving in the U.S. at age 7, Park became a legal permanent resident and joined the Army at 19. Serving in the 1989 invasion of Panama, he was injured, honorably discharged, and awarded a Purple Heart. Over the years, Park battled with undiagnosed PTSD, leading to drug addiction and legal issues. After serving three years in prison, he turned his life around in Hawaii, where he lived for a decade before the removal order.
The pardon does not guarantee Park’s return to the U.S. However, it provides his legal team with the opportunity to reopen his case. They can now petition the immigration appeals board to vacate Park’s removal order. Danicole Ramos, Park’s attorney at the University of Hawaii’s refugee and immigration law clinic, described the pardon as a significant step forward, offering renewed hope for Park and his family.