When Tin was 2 years old, his family fled communist governments in Vietnam that were sending people to reeducation prison camps. Tin and his parents lived in refugee camps in four different countries (China, Hong Kong. Philippines, Japan) until finally arriving in the USA as refugees in May of 1985. In 2008, the United States and Vietnam Non-Repatriation bilateral agreement sought to protect refugees who – like Tin – came to the US before July 12, 1995. However, these protections were backtracked under the Trump administration.
An 8 year old when his family arrived in California, he didn't speak English and shared a 1 bedroom apartment with 7 people. His family stayed in a poverty and crime- stricken neighborhood where he was bullied by other kids for his cultural and linguistic differences. Tin’s parents would work long hours into the night, which left his siblings and Tin unsupported at home; and when his parents were home, their marriage problems exposed Tin to verbal and physical abuse. Tin coped with all of these negative feelings in and out of his home through physical fighting with other kids. It’s with this background that Tin, in 1994, committed a crime at the age of 17; was charged as an adult; and was incarcerated.
While in prison, Tin took steps to transform his life through rehabilitation/self-improvement programs that helped him take responsibility for his impact on others and to manage his anger. He earned a GED, learned to use computers, facilitated self-improvement classes, and took courses with Antelope Valley College. He became a visual artist. In 2015, a clinician/psychologist evaluated Tin in preparation for possible parole and rated him as low risk to re-offend in the free community. In April of 2017, two parole commissioners found Tin suitable for parole, especially given Tin’s rehabilitation and youthfulness at the time of the crime; they determined that Tin would not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society upon release.
When Tin was released from prison in August of 2017, ICE immediately detained him for another 8 months because Tin is not a US citizen. Tin was released from ICE in April of 2018, but was still held on the deportation order, due to the Trump Administration's changes in refugee protections. This puts Tin in imminent threat for deportation.
In May of 2020 Tin's older brother passed away from a heart attack, leaving behind a son, and leaving Tin to live with his nephew and both of his aging, elderly parents. He helps with chores around the house and contributes to paying bills. Tin volunteers his time/service with numerous organizations in giving back to the community, including API RISE (Asian Pacific Islander Reentry & Inclusion Through Support & Empowerment), PREP (Partnership for Re-entry Program), and ARC (Anti-Recidivism Coalition). Through these organizations, Tin shares insight with formerly incarcerated communities about resources that are available to them in their transition back into the free community; supports fundraising to send self-improvement material back into prisons; and has performed advocacy work to improve juvenile law and in support of the VISION Act (AB 937- Carrillo).
Recently, Tin has realized his goal of becoming a licensed tattoo artist and has opened a tattoo studio, creating job opportunities for other artists.
