"Korean American Group Appeals to President Lee to Help Korean Detained at U.S. Airport"

Korean American Groups Appeal Directly to President Lee Jaemyung During U.S. Visit
Mother of Detained Doctoral Student in San Francisco Seeks Swift Release
Concerns Rise Over Harsh Immigration Enforcement and Unexpected Detentions

As the Trump administration's second term ushers in stricter immigration policies, unexpected cases of detention and deportation are emerging among Korean Americans in the United States. In response, Korean American organizations in the U.S. have directly appealed to President Lee Jaemyung, who is currently visiting the United States, for assistance.

On the 24th (local time), during a meeting with compatriots, the Secretary General of the Korean American Volunteer Education Organizations Council (KAVOEC) handed a letter to President Lee. KAVOEC

The Korean American Volunteer Education Organizations Council (KAVEC) announced on the 26th that, during a meeting with compatriots held in Washington, D.C. on the 24th (local time), it urged the Korean government to take active measures to protect Korean immigrants and adoptees at risk of arrest, detention, or deportation.

In particular, KAVEC delivered a letter from the mother of Kim Taeheung, a 40-year-old permanent resident detained at San Francisco Airport, to President Lee, requesting help for his release. Kim immigrated to the United States at the age of five and is currently a doctoral student at Texas A&M University researching a Lyme disease vaccine. Last month, while returning to the U.S. after attending his sibling’s wedding in Korea, he was arrested by Customs and Border Protection at the airport and is currently being held in detention.

Kim’s family believes that his past record is the issue. Kim was charged with marijuana possession in 2011 and was sentenced to community service, and the family suspects this incident is likely the reason for his current detention. In her letter, Kim’s mother, Lee Yehun, stated, “I acknowledge my child’s mistake from long ago, but there is no reason for such harsh treatment,” and appealed to the Korean government to urgently request his release from the U.S. authorities.

As the Trump administration pushes forward with stronger immigration enforcement after returning to power, cases of harm within the Korean American community continue to emerge. Recently, Yeon Soo, who came to the U.S. with her mother, an Anglican priest, was suddenly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after appearing in immigration court due to visa issues, but was released after four days.