Formerly incarcerated firefighters (left) Bounchan Keola and (right) Kao Saelee were pardoned by Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 28, 2021.
Photo: Asian Law Caucus SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pardoned 14 people, including two men who were recently released from ICE custody and who both served as firefighters when they were incarcerated in prison.
The pardon, which was announced on Friday, prevents the deportation of Kao Saelee and Bounchan Keola because it wipes clean the decades-old state conviction that is the basis for removal, according to their attorney, Anoop Prasad of the Asian Law Caucus.