As the BIA explained years ago, “commutation by the President of the United States or the Governors of States ha[s] exactly the same legal effect as though the commuted sentence had been imposed by the court in the first instance and that, after commutation, the commuted sentence is the only one in existence.” Matter of J, 6 I&N Dec. 562, 569 (BIA 1955). Without question, a commuted sentence benefits individuals who are still serving their criminal punishment.