Gavin Newsom pardons California restaurant manager held by ICE more than 130 days

Thaddeus Miller, The Fresno Bee on Nov 7, 2025

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FRESNO, Calif. — A popular restaurant manager in Fresno was granted a pardon by Gov. Gavin Newsom for a crime he committed in his youth, according to the clemency letter released Friday.

Psalm Behpoor, who manages Pismo’s Coastal Grill in north Fresno, has been held in the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield for 138 days after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement related to a 25-year-old crime.

“He had provided evidence that he is living an upright life and had demonstrated his fitness for restoration for civic life and responsibilities,” Newsom’s letter said.

Clemency does not grant Behpoor an immediate release from ICE custody, but would likely improve his chances when he goes before an immigration judge, according to legal experts.

The federal government has no obligation to accept the pardon.

Behpoor, who remains in ICE custody, could not be immediately reached for comment.

The letter says Newsom has pardoned Behpoor for first degree residential burglary, a crime he was sentenced for when he was 18. The 42-year-old served three years and four months in prison and later was fitted with an electronic monitor.

In previous interviews with The Bee, Behpoor has expressed regret for a “stupid” crime he committed as a teenager.

“I’m not perfect. I’m not saying that. I just don’t deserve to be deported,” Behpoor said on Oct. 6. “I want to come back and be part of the community. I see myself as an American. I said the Pledge of Allegiance. This is my country, and I’m proud to be here.”

Behpoor came to the U.S. at age 3 with his family as they fled Iran a few years after the Iranian Revolution because they feared for their safety. It’s for that reason that he can’t by law be deported to Iran.

Now a father and husband, Behpoor has become well-liked among the diners at the restaurant where he works.

Members of the Fresno community have shown support for Behpoor. More than $30,000 has been raised on a crowd-funding website to assist his family, and some have organized letter-writing campaigns that drew more than 120 notes. Councilmembers Annalisa Perea and Mike Karbassi also penned a joint letter of support to ICE on his behalf.