FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN/KMJ) — A Fresno husband, father and restaurant manager is reunited with his loved ones Friday after being released from ICE custody. Sam Behpoor, known as Psalm, was held for nine months.
KMJ’s Christina Musson and Jeff Aiello discussed the new developments on Tuesday:
His path toward citizenship was cut short in June of last year when he was detained following a routine ICE check-in.
Behpoor was taken to a detention center in Kern County. For the past several months, he has left behind his wife and three-year-old son in Fresno.
In November, Governor Gavin Newsom pardoned him for his conviction for burglary, an offense more than 20 years ago when he was 18 years old.
In the days following his release, Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea spoke about the importance of his return home.
“This was a case where he possibly made some poor decisions when he was a lot younger. He served his time and he’s been a member of our community, a contributing member of our community for years now and so, I know firsthand the impact that he has had on the City of Fresno and beyond and so when I found out he was going through this I did everything within my ability to speak out and to advocate to get him released as soon as possible,” said Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea, who represents District 1.
Behpoor’s initial legal team was unable to secure his release, but with new representation, those errors were identified and corrected in his earlier filings. That change in legal representation helped lead to his release.
Although Behpoor is no longer in ICE custody, his immigration case remains active, with possible legal proceedings pending.
As the Trump Administration continues to step up its immigration enforcement operations across the state and other parts of the country, Councilmember Perea reflected on what this means for minorities in her district.
“As a Latina, I don’t want to see any family member separated. As a new mom, it’s really important for me to know that families are kept together. When I see injustice happening anywhere, I want to be sure that I’m using my platform to advocate, to bring families together,” said Councilmember Perea.
By ABC 30″s Christina Lopez
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
