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Tith Ton supporters blocks an entrance to ICE offices in San Francisco on Dec. 17. |
Tith Ton won't be able to spend the holidays with his family after being released from prison.
After serving his sentence for 22 years, the Cambodian American refugee was released on parole Dec. 23 from California's San Quinten State Penetentiary, right into the arms of Immigration, Customs and Enforcement officers.
A 2017 California law bars local and state agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities involving cases against those who have committed certain crimes, mostly misdemeanors. The immigration rights groups say it also applies to the state prison system.
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| TITH TON |
“It’s deeply disappointing that the governor is choosing to work with ICE,” said Anoop Prasad, an attorney with the Asian Law Caucus. “It’s an unjust and illogical practice that is tearing apart communities in California.”
Ton was in prison for the murder of a rival gang member. Supporters say he had turned his life around and became a licensed substance abuse counselor while serving his sentence. He also received his GED and mentored other inmates while assisting with ethnic studies classes and supporting his family from behind bars.
Ton was in prison for the murder of a rival gang member. Supporters say he had turned his life around and became a licensed substance abuse counselor while serving his sentence. He also received his GED and mentored other inmates while assisting with ethnic studies classes and supporting his family from behind bars.
The governor's office didn’t comment other than to confirm that he had allowed the parole. Supporters presented a petition with 40,000 signatures asking for Ton's parole.
“We followed normal procedure,” corrections department spokesman Jeffrey Callison said of Ton’s release.
“We followed normal procedure,” corrections department spokesman Jeffrey Callison said of Ton’s release.
Pleas to Gov. Gavin Newsom fell on deaf ears. The week prior to Ton's parole, his family and supporters demonstrated at the state capitol and in front or ICE offices in San Francisco.
Immigrant rights advocates want Newsom to end a California Rehabilitation Department of Corrections policy of notifying ICE of impending releases after the immigration agents file detainers or present an arrest warrant.
A 2017 California law bars local and state agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities involving cases against those who have committed certain crimes, mostly misdemeanors. The rights groups say the law should also apply to the CRDC.
A 2017 California law bars local and state agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities involving cases against those who have committed certain crimes, mostly misdemeanors. The rights groups say the law should also apply to the CRDC.
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