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By Mandy Taheri
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Sam "Psalm" Behpoor, a father of a 3-year-old who has lived in the United States for nearly 40 years and was working to reinstate his green card, was detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appointment in Fresno, California, in June.
His detention stems from a burglary arrest more than two decades ago, when he was a teenager.
Newsweek has reached out to ICE for comment via email, Behpoor's wife, Lera Mirakyan, via LinkedIn messenger, and Behpoor's attorney via online contact form on Wednesday.
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Why It Matters
Behpoor's detention comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with the president having pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.
Immigrants residing in the country both illegally and legally, with valid documentation such as green cards and visas, as well as those with criminal histories, have been detained. The Trump administration has deported thousands of people to their countries of origin, as well as a smaller percentage to third countries with U.S. agreements. It has also encouraged individuals without proper documentation to self-deport.
Over the summer, tensions between the United States and Iran escalated after U.S. forces struck three of Iran's nuclear sites—Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz—in June, prompting Iran to later target a U.S. base in Qatar.
What To Know
Behpoor, 42, was detained by ICE officers on June 23 and remains in custody, with The Fresno Bee reporting he is being held in a detention facility in Bakersfield, California. His arrest came a day after his son's third birthday, according to local news station Fox 26.
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He immigrated to the U.S. from Iran when he was 3 years old along with several family members, including his mother, uncle and grandfather. He told The Fresno Bee his family left a few years after the 1979 Iranian Revolution due to concerns over their safety.
Following President Donald Trump's inauguration, he started the process of obtaining his green card.
When Behpoor was 18 years old, he was arrested for burglary. He told The Fresno Bee he signed a plea bargain and wore an ankle monitor for nearly two years. He told Fox 26 that his charge was reduced and ruled non-deportable by a judge.
Behpoor is the sole provider for his family, and is known to community members as the restaurant manager at Pismo's Coastal Grill.
He has said he has converted to Christianity and is fearful about returning to Iran if he is deported there.
What People Are Saying
Pismo's Coastal Grill owner Dave Fansler told The Fresno Bee: "Out of the 350 [employees], he's right up at the top of most liked with employees and customers. He's already paid the price. They got to let him out."
Lera Mirakyan, Behpoor's wife, told The Fresno Bee: "He's a totally different person. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when you're a kid. In the Fresno community, I don't have to convince anybody. They love Psalm. But with ICE, I feel like I do."
Behpoor told Fox 26: "I've been out 22-plus years. I've been a law-abiding, tax-paying. I follow the rules. I'm not perfect, but we're doing everything correctly. Why am I here? Why are a lot of people here?...My faith is in God, Jesus, my Lord. I read my Bible every day. I pray all day and night, and I hope to see my son again."
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a previous statement shared with Newsweek: "Under Secretary Noem, we are delivering on President Trump's and the American people's mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens to make America safe. Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to target the worst of the worst and carry out the largest deportation operation of criminal aliens in American history."
What Happens Next
It remains unclear when an immigration hearing for Behpoor will be held or whether he faces deportation to Iran or a third country. The Trump administration has coordinated third-country deportation flights, sending detainees to nations such as Eswatini, South Sudan and El Salvador.
A GoFundMe created on Behpoor's behalf has raised nearly $4,000 for legal funds and support for his wife and son.
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