LANSING, Mich. — 2018 started off as a tough year for a Kalamazoo doctor facing the possibility of deportation during the U.S. immigration crackdown. But it’s ending on a happier note for him.
As one of his last acts in office, Governor Rick Snyder has granted a pardon to long-time BronsonHealth physician Dr. Lukasz Niec. That, after the Poland native was taken into custody and jailed in Calhoun County on January 16, related to 18 run-ins with the law, most being traffic or civil infractions. He also had two 1992 state convictions for Malicious Destruction of Property and stolen property.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) says any immigrant with two misdemeanor convictions can potentially be kicked out of the country.
Dr. Niec came to the United States as a child in 1987 with his parents. He’s now 43 years old.
He expressed remorse about the actions of his youth during a hearing before the Michigan Department of Corrections Parole Board last July.
Governor Snyder announced pardons and commutations for 61 people.
