Ingrid Encalada receives pardon from Governor Polis

FOR IDENTITY THEFT CHARGES

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Jared Polis, governor of Colorado, pardoned Ingrid Encalada e, peruvian undocumented immigrant. Encalada had fought deportation by living in a church for the last two years. She faces felony charges related to a stolen Social Security number that she purchased to work in the EEUU.  “I am very happy and busy with my kids right now,” she said. Encalada will be staying at the church  for the time being as she explores permanent residency options.

Losing those charges was a prerequisite for asking the inmigration judge to reopen Encalada’s case and to de-prioritize her deportation order.The fight now is that, even though the conviction is out of the way, it’s still not clear whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will nullify Encalada’s deportation order. That was issued by a federal immigration judge after she was a no-show at two check-in appointments.

Hickenlooper point of view

In September 2017, Governor John Hickenlooper denied a pardon to Encalada.The Colorado Governor at the time alleged that the crime committed by Encalada caused the victim of identity theft to go through significant tax consequences and almost lose her government benefits. For Hickenlooper, pardoning Encalada sets the precedent that it is okay to forgive a crime to prevent a deportation.

Polis’ message

“Clemencies are a tremendous responsibility given to a governor that can change a person’s life. These decisions were not taken lightly and were made after careful consideration of each individual case. These are people looking for a second chance and the opportunity to move beyond the mistakes from their past. They have taken important steps to turn their lives around and shown remorse for their actions”, Polis said.

Polis noted Encalada has completed probation; paid restitution and back taxes; and is now working to educate others. Colorado’s governor wrote that he was granting Encalada’s request because she showed a commitment “to moving past your conviction and starting out anew while taking with you lessons you have learned throughout your life.”