Homeland Security Department slams New York Gov. Hochul for pardon of 'illegal alien killer'

The Homeland Security Department criticized New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul for pardoning an illegal migrant to keep him from being deported. 

"@GovKathyHochul, your shameful secret is out," the DHS wrote in a social media post on X. "Rather than putting New Yorkers first, you’re protecting a criminal illegal alien KILLER with a rap sheet including convictions for manslaughter and criminal possession of a firearm."

Hochul pardoned an illegal migrant who was convicted of manslaughter as a teenager, according to a report from The New York Times.

The individual, Somchith Vatthanavong, 52, was pardoned last month by Hochul. Vatthanavong shot a man during a pool hall confrontation in Brooklyn and argued he did it in self-defense, according to published reports. 

Supporters of Vatthanavong said Hochul's pardon would keep him from being deported. 

"If you are a convicted criminal alien, you should not have the privilege to be in this country," the DHS post continued. "President Trump and @Sec_Noem will continue fighting to protect every American citizen and remove the worst of the worst from our nation."