Phoeun You, a Cambodian-born parolee whose imminent expulsion from the United States became a cause for protest by Asian American and civil rights advocates, was deported Wednesday afternoon, according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, one of the groups advocating on his behalf.

You had become a prominent activist and prison journalist in San Quentin State Prison. After being granted parole, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released him in January to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which detained him and began deportation proceedings. Capital and Main reported on You’s case in July as his supporters sought a pardon for his murder conviction from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Despite a determined defense and vigorous campaign spearheaded by advocates at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus and the Asian Prisoner Support Committee, efforts that included a rally attended by You’s aged and wheelchair-bound parents, and the unanimous passage of a resolution from the Oakland City Council urging Newsom to pardon him, what You had called his “small window of hope” was shuttered.

Read the article at Capital & Main