Immigrant who said ‘it is cultural to marry a 12-year-old’ and was facing deportation pardoned by Democra

An immigrant who stated that marrying a 12-year-old is cultural and was facing deportation has received a pardon from a Democratic governor. The individual had been ordered removed from the United States after making the remark, which drew widespread criticism.

The pardon halts the deportation proceedings, allowing the immigrant to remain in the country. The governor's decision has sparked debate, with supporters citing rehabilitation and opponents condemning the justification of child marriage.

The case had previously drawn attention due to the immigrant's defense of child marriage as a cultural practice. Legal experts note that pardons in such cases are rare and often controversial.

The immigrant's attorney expressed gratitude for the pardon, while advocacy groups criticized the move as undermining efforts to combat child marriage. The governor's office has not commented further on the decision.