Veteran Sae Joon Park Receives Pardon, Paving Way for Possible Return to U.S.

In June 2025, Sae Joon Park received an ultimatum from immigration authorities: voluntarily leave or face detention and deportation. This decision came as Park, a Purple Heart veteran, faced challenges due to past convictions. Recently, Park has been granted a pardon, marking a significant step forward in his journey to return to the United States, where he has spent nearly all his life.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York cleared Park’s previous convictions of bail jumping and drug possession. He was among six individuals granted clemency for demonstrating positive changes in their lives. Hochul stated that these individuals earned their second chances through rehabilitation and can now pursue their futures anew.

“I have been praying for the chance to come back to the U.S. every day,” Park expressed, capturing his hopeful sentiment. He acknowledged the efforts of his legal team, advocates, and supporters who stood by him, recognizing their invaluable contributions to his case.

Park’s struggle has garnered national attention over the past year. During a congressional hearing in December, Representative Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island called attention to Park’s situation while speaking to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Park participated in the hearing through a video call.

Magaziner queried whether Noem would commit to examining Park’s case, seeking paths for his return to the U.S., given his sacrifices. Noem agreed to review Park’s case.

Park relocated to South Korea as a result of a removal order stemming from two convictions—a move marking his first visit to his birthplace in nearly five decades. Park’s journey in America began when he immigrated at age seven, achieving status as a legal permanent resident. He later served in the U.S. Army, participating in the 1989 Panama invasion, Operation Just Cause, where he sustained injuries and received a Purple Heart for his service.

In the years following, Park faced challenges related to undiagnosed PTSD, leading to substance issues and his legal troubles. Park spent three years in prison, achieving sobriety, and spent the following decade rebuilding his life in Hawaii.

In 2025, immigration officials warned him of impending detention and deportation, prompting his departure from the U.S. in June, leaving behind his family. He shared with NPR that he may have had his final moments with his elderly mother during that time.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have not provided immediate comments on the case. While Park’s pardon does not directly allow his return, it enables his legal team to revisit his case and request the immigration appeals board to vacate the removal order. Attorney Danicole Ramos of the University of Hawaii’s refugee and immigration law clinic emphasized the promise the pardon holds, offering renewed hope for Park and his family.