Politics on the Hudson

Ricky Walters, better known as the rapper Slick Rick, received a “full and unconditional pardon ” today from Gov. Paterson in his 1991 attempted murder and weapon convictions.

The pardon also allows Slick Rick to seek relief from deportation from the federal immigration courts. Slick Rick was born in the United Kingdom, was lawfully admitted to the United States at age 11, and was raised in the Bronx.

He is one of the pioneers of rap and his first album, left, is considered one of the better rap albums of all time.

But he was put in prison for six years and was released in 1997. Federal authorities have sought to deport him, despite campaigns by fans and other rappers to let him stay in the country.

“Mr. Walters has fully served the sentence imposed upon him for his convictions, had an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison and on parole, and has been living without incident in the community for more than 10 years,” Paterson said.

Slick Rick faces deportation under a federal statute that mandates the removal of a lawful resident alien upon conviction of an aggravated felony or a weapon offense.

For certain offenses, removal can be avoided by a governor’s pardon, but for weapon offenses, even after receiving a pardon, a non-citizen must seek discretionary relief from deportation from the immigration court, according to the governor’s press release.

“Mr. Walters was granted such relief by an immigration court in 1995, but that decision was later vacated because the Board of Immigration Appeals issued its decision 33 days after the expiration of a statutory deadline. Mr. Walters has been unable to re-apply for discretionary adjustment of his immigration status because of his attempted murder convictions, but he will be eligible to do so as a result of the governor’s pardon.”

Slick Rick, now 43, is presently employed as a landlord and rap musician, the press release said.

Here’s his song, La Di Da Di.

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