December 20, 2016 The New York Times - Professor Peter L. Markowitz joined a group of more than 100 advocacy organizations in writing a memo to President Obama asking that he pardon green card holders with minor criminal records before he leaves office.
The group argues that President Obama could reframe his legacy on immigration after earning the nickname "deporter in chief" for expelling more people than any other president in history.
“President Obama has repeatedly promised throughout his presidency to do everything in his legal power to make our immigration system more humane,” said Peter L. Markowitz to The New York Times. He added that the immigrants who would benefit from the pardon were those whom President-elect Donald J. Trump “has been crystal clear he will be targeting on Day 1.”