California inmate fought wildfires, now faces deportation

[discocrisco01]

Source: Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Among the thousands of firefighters who battled record-setting wildfires in California this year was Bounchan Keola, a 39-year-old immigrant from Laos serving a 28-year prison sentence for a gang-related shooting when he was 16.

One of roughly 1,800 inmates fighting fires, Keola said he struggled to see through the smoke during his first assignment while getting doused with chemicals used to fight the flames. When it was over, he was stunned to see people from the community lining up to thank him as he walked back to the bus.

“For the first time in my life, I felt good about myself,” he said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/laos-california-immigration-prisons-dd11ab47d4cbffe475e8633e5d93cfda

[OneCrazyDiamond]

1. Whoa

And while California law prohibits local agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities for some crimes, it doesn’t apply to the state prison system. California prison officials routinely cooperate with federal immigration authorities, advocates say, transferring released inmates to their custody so they can begin deportation proceedings.

This year alone, the state has transferred an estimated 1,265 inmates to federal immigration authorities, according to Sarah Lee, community advocate for the Asian Law Caucus.

I didn't know that one. Thank goodness Biden will be in charge now.

[marble falls]

2. If the objective is to reform prisoners, hasn't this guy been reformed? 28 year sentences for ...

... 16-year-olds is outrageous.