Newsom Grants Clemency to 25, Including Immigrant Facing Deportation

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a pardon to Sithy Bin, a Cambodian-born immigrant and former gang member convicted of a violent felony, in a move that could prevent his deportation by federal immigration authorities. Bin, who was sentenced in 2008 for shooting at a rival gang member’s home and injuring a bystander, underwent significant rehabilitation while incarcerated, becoming a minister and receiving commendations for his positive transformation. Newsom’s action nullifies the state felony that triggered Bin’s deportation proceedings, highlighting the governor’s use of executive clemency as a tool to protect rehabilitated immigrants from federal removal. The pardon has sparked debate over the limits of state power versus federal immigration enforcement, with critics questioning whether such clemency undermines national immigration laws. Bin's case is part of a broader pattern, as Newsom and his predecessor have used pardons to shield immigrants with reformed criminal records, particularly Southeast Asian refugees, from deportation. The move comes amid ongoing clashes between California’s leadership and federal immigration policies.