California governor pardons 2 ex-refugees facing deportation

Two former Cambodian refugees facing deportation for crimes committed as young adults are among seven people pardoned by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in his first acts of clemency since taking office in January.

Newsom has pardoned Kang Hen from San Jose, who pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver during an attempted armed robbery in 1994. Hen surrendered to authorities April 1 after he was notified he was wanted for deportation.

The Democrat also issued a pardon for Hay Hov from Oakland, who was convicted of solicitation to commit murder and participation in a street gang in 2001.

Hov, a naturalized citizen, was taken into custody by immigration officials in March.

Pardons don't automatically halt deportation proceedings, but they eliminate the criminal conviction judges often base their decisions on.