Researcher with Permanent Residency Held at Airport

A scientist researching Lyme disease, who has been residing legally in the United States since childhood, found himself in detention at San Francisco International Airport for over a week, stated by his legal representative.

The individual in question, Tae Heung “Will” Kim, aged 40, was returning to the U.S. after attending a family wedding in South Korea when he was unexpectedly detained for further screening, his lawyer Eric Lee reported. The reasons for this detention remain unknown.

Lee expressed uncertainty regarding Kim's current location, noting that Kim had limited communication opportunities, with just a brief call to his family. In contrast, varying information about Kim's destination has been received, suggesting his transfer to an immigration center in Texas or elsewhere as mentioned by Korean Consulate representatives.

“His final destination remains a mystery,” Lee conveyed with concern. “Our understanding of these proceedings is equally opaque.”

Kim's record includes minor marijuana possession charges from 2011, which his attorney argues should not justify such prolonged confinement in a secluded airport area.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to issue a statement on this issue; however, a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson indicated that Kim is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), awaiting deportation hearings.

The spokesperson elaborated that permanent residents convicted of drug-related offenses are typically issued a court notice, leading to their detention by relevant authorities.

Kim’s lawyer questioned the rationale behind detaining someone for a minor infraction from the past, asserting, “It seems unreasonable to detain individuals with such minor offenses from years ago.”

Kim’s mother, Yehoon “Sharon” Lee, expressed anxiety over her son’s well-being during detention, voicing concerns over his potential asthma complications. She worried about his access to necessary medications.

Explaining their immigration story, his mother mentioned that though they came to the U.S. in the 1980s and obtained citizenship later, Kim was no longer eligible for automatic citizenship due to his age at the time.

Having lived most of his life in the United States, Kim is a green-card holder who contributes to Lyme disease research as part of a doctoral program at Texas A&M University. He took on this scholarly pursuit after working with his family business post his father’s passing.

Such incidents highlight a trend where those with any legal infractions face hurdles re-entering the U.S., prompting legal advisors to suggest that permanent residents travel cautiously to avoid denial of re-entry.