Pictured: Attorney Sarwinder Dhanjan, Sam Behpoor, Attorney Steve Simonian, Jr.

FRESNO, California — Sam Behpoor, the longtime manager of Pismo’s Coastal Grill in Fresno, has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following a federal court order requiring that he receive a constitutionally compliant bond hearing. After Star Immigration and Citizenship Lawyers of Fresno conducted the hearing, an immigration judge determined that Behpoor does not pose a danger to the community and that any potential flight risk could be addressed through bond. Once the bond was posted, Behpoor was released from detention and reunited with his wife and child. If you or a loved one is facing immigration detention, contact an Immigration Lawyer in Fresno for a personalized case review. Free consultation.

“This has been one of the hardest experiences my family has ever faced,” Behpoor said after returning home. “Seeing my wife and my child again was everything. I’m grateful to finally be back with them.”

Although Behpoor has now been released from ICE custody, his immigration case itself remains pending while legal proceedings continue.

Key Facts About the Sam Behpoor Case

• Name: Sam Behpoor
• Occupation: Manager, Pismo’s Coastal Grill — Fresno, California
• Community Ties: Resident of the Fresno area for nearly two decades
• Initial Immigration Status: Granted Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture in 2004
• Federal Court Action: A habeas corpus petition was filed on his behalf challenging prolonged detention
• Court Order: Federal judge required a bond hearing under Singh v. Holder
• Bond Decision: Immigration judge granted bond
• Current Status: Released from ICE custody and reunited with family
• Star Immigration Legal Team: Sarwinder Singh Dhanjan, Steve Simonian Jr., and James Makasian (110+ Years of Combined Experience)

Nearly Two Decades in the Fresno Community

Behpoor’s immigration history dates back to 2004, when an immigration judge granted him Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture, a form of protection that allowed him to remain in the United States with regular ICE checkins. Since that time, he had been living and working in the Fresno community without any immigration issues. 

Over the years he built a life in the area and eventually became the manager of Pismo’s Coastal Grill, one of Fresno’s well-known restaurants. For nearly twenty years he lived and worked in the community before the recent detention that led to federal court intervention.

A Case That Required Rebuilding the Legal Record

In June of 2025, Behpoor was detained during a routine ICE checkin and was told he was going to be removed from the US. Behpoor hired a local, well-known law firm, but they were unsuccessful in securing his release. 

In November of 2025, immigration attorney Sarwinder Singh Dhanjan of Star Immigration and Citizenship Lawyers of Fresno became involved in the case. Sarwinder saw that the legal record contained significant problems that had to be corrected before the courts could properly evaluate Behpoor’s situation.

“The first step was reviewing everything that had happened in the case before we were brought in,” Sarwinder said. “Unfortunately there were several serious issues that needed to be corrected before the legal process could move forward.”

According to Sarwinder, the legal team discovered multiple problems in earlier filings, including:

• Criminal convictions that had not been fully vacated
• Filings missing required signatures
• The absence of a declaration explaining key facts about Behpoor’s life that immigration courts rely on when reviewing a case

Behpoor also says that his prior attorneys withdrew from the case after their earlier mistakes complicated the situation.

“At one point I felt like my case had been abandoned,” Behpoor said. “When things became complicated, my prior attorneys stepped away and asked for more money after mistakes had already been made. It was incredibly stressful for my family.”

Sarwinder said cases like this illustrate the importance of trust in legal representation.

“Immigration law is extremely technical,” he said. “If mistakes are made early in a case, it can take months or even years to fix them. It’s crucial to hire someone you trust who will stand with you through the entire process.”

Behpoor agrees. “If I could go back, I would have hired Sarwinder from the beginning,” he said. “It would have saved my family a lot of money, fear, and uncertainty.”

Federal Court Intervention Through Habeas Corpus

After issues in the record were corrected, federal court review of Behpoor’s continued detention was pursued through a petition for habeas corpus, a legal procedure allowing courts to review whether someone’s detention violates constitutional protections.

A federal judge ultimately determined that the government had not demonstrated that Behpoor’s removal was significantly likely in the reasonably foreseeable future and ordered that he receive a bond hearing before an immigration judge under the standards established in the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Singh v. Holder.

Visit: Habeas Corpus and Immigration: Protecting Your Right to Freedom

Bond Hearing Leads to Release

Following the federal court’s order, an immigration judge held the required bond hearing to determine whether Behpoor should remain detained while his case proceeds.

During that hearing, the government was required to prove that detention was necessary because Behpoor posed either a danger to the community or a serious flight risk.

After reviewing the evidence, the immigration judge determined that Behpoor was not a danger to the community and that any flight concerns could be addressed through bond. The judge therefore set bond at an amount that allowed Behpoor to be released while his case continues.

Once the bond was posted, Behpoor was released from ICE custody and returned home to his family. 

Reunited With Family

For Behpoor, the most meaningful moment came after leaving detention.

“I just wanted to hug my family,” he said. “Being back with them is the most important thing.”

Friends and coworkers at Pismo’s Coastal Grill have also welcomed him back.

“Sam has been part of the Fresno community for many years,” Sarwinder said. “Seeing him reunited with his family is what this part of the case was really about.”

A Case About Constitutional Process

Sarwinder emphasized that the case was not about criticizing immigration authorities but about ensuring that constitutional protections are followed.

“The government is doing its job the best it can under the law so we have to make sure we do the same,” Sarwinder says. “Our Constitution provides safeguards to ensure that people are not detained indefinitely without proper legal process. In this case, the courts ensured those protections were applied.”

Case Still Pending

Although Behpoor has now been released from custody, his immigration case remains pending. Behpoor says “the best decision I made was to switch over to attorneys Sarwinder and Steve at Star Immigration; I don’t know where I would be without them.” 

For now, Behpoor says he is focused on rebuilding normal life with his family.

“I’m just grateful to be home,” he said. “Now I can focus on my family and moving forward.”

About This Case Summary

Because this case has generated significant interest online and in the Fresno community, this article was written to provide a factual summary of the court proceedings that led to Sam Behpoor’s release from immigration custody. Journalists and commentators covering the case are welcome to reference this page for background information regarding the legal proceedings. 

Talk to an Immigration Lawyer in Fresno

If you or a loved one is facing prolonged immigration detention, it is critical to act quickly. At Star Immigration and Citizenship Lawyers of Fresno, we handle complex immigration litigation including federal habeas corpus proceedings, deportation defense, and bond hearings. Every case is unique, and a personalized legal strategy can make the difference between continued detention and reuniting with your family. Call us today at (559) 787-5555 for a free consultation.

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Visit our office in Fresno, California

Star Immigration and Citizenship Lawyers of Fresno handles immigration cases throughout the Fresno, California area, and we provide 24/7 service. We have an office at 2170 N Winery Ave Suite A, Fresno, CA 93703, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 36.7699004,-119.7333798