09/21/2023
We would like to celebrate one of our past participants, Quyen Quy Le. He and his family were political refugees from Vietnam when he was 18 months old. When fleeing Vietnam by boat, they became lost at sea and were saved by a container ship. Troubled and traumatized, Quy joined a neighborhood gang in an attempt at inclusion and acceptance. He committed crimes for the gang, and was convicted for a gang related crime when he was 17 years old. Quy spent the next 25 years of his life in prison. Research was conducted that showed that a juvenile’s brain not only lacks full understanding of the consequences of his actions but has profound potential for change. After a judge ruled in favor of Quy’s reform, he was freed at the age of 42. He relished his freedom, choosing to ride a bicycle over a car because he could physically feel the liberty. He worked long hours, enrolled in college, and became your everyday hardworking citizen trying to make a place in this world. But in March of 2023 he was apprehended by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and incarcerated. Quy had his green card, but a law stating any immigrant committing an egregious crime had to be deported. After 6 months of detention, he became eligible for a bond hearing, Quy once again went before a judge to appeal for his freedom. This week Quy had the privilege once again to breathe fresh air, feel the sunshine on his face, and to be able to get up everyday to go to work and make a life for himself. Pictured is Quy in our surf therapy sessions prior to his ICE arrest and detention, feeling the magic of the ocean for the first time. Because of his humble, grateful, enthusiastic and positive nature, we had chosen him to be featured in the short documentary that was filmed by in 2022. It has already won a handful of awards in Europe and is scheduled to be shown at a Huntington Beach Film Festival on October 6. Words aren’t enough to express the elation and gratitude I felt when hearing the judge rule for Quy’s renewed freedom last week. I can’t think of a more deserving gentleman.