CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Prisoner Review Board is being asked to intervene on behalf of an Army veteran with a green card who faces deportation because of a drug conviction.
Advocates for Miguel Perez Jr. want the board to recommend that Gov. Bruce Rauner issue a pardon. They hope as a result, the Department of Homeland Security would grant the 38-year-old Perez citizenship retroactively to when he joined the military in 2001.
Perez served two tours in Afghanistan. He's being held a Wisconsin detention center where he awaits deportation to Mexico.
Perez pleaded guilty to a drug charge for handing a laptop case containing cocaine to an undercover officer. He served half of a 15-year prison sentence.
Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Peter Goutos said Thursday his office opposes clemency for Garcia.
