Governor Newsom Pardons 3 Immigrants Facing Deportation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Governor Gavin Newsom is pardoning three more immigrants facing the possibility they will be deported.

They are among four pardons and two commutations of youthful offenders announced Friday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom's office says the three facing deportation "made bad decisions" while breaking the law as teenagers or young adults, but served their sentences and transformed their lives. He says deporting them now would be "an unjust collateral consequence" harming their families and communities.

The three hail from Iran, El Salvador and Cambodia.

Pardons don't erase convictions but emphasize the person's rehabilitation.

A series of such pardons by Newsom and his predecessor challenge Republican President Donald Trump's administration, which has cracked down on immigrants who committed crimes.