Newsom Grants Clemency To ICE-Detained Fresno Manager Amid California Enforcement Surge

California Gov. Gavin Newsom granted executive clemency to Sam Behpoor, a Fresno restaurant manager and Iranian asylum seeker detained by ICE since June 23. The clemency addresses a 2004 residential burglary conviction cited in immigration proceedings; Behpoor remains in ICE custody in Kern County. Newsom cited rehabilitation and restoration of civic rights, while acknowledging the harm from the past offense. The move comes amid a broader uptick in ICE enforcement actions in California and growing state pushback.