A Korean American undocumented couple is preparing to leave Los Angeles after 26 years amid the LA immigration crackdown, returning to South Korea after losing the ability to work due to their immigration status.
Their daughter, Nadia Kim, said the couple decided to depart voluntarily after immigration enforcement intensified, leaving them unable to earn a living. The father, previously the primary earner as a gig driver handling deliveries and ride-hailing jobs, lost his income, and months of unemployment depleted their savings. “My parents have always worked hard to support themselves, but the worsening situation made it impossible to continue,” Kim said.
On August 11, Kim launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her parents start a new life in Korea. She explained that her parents, now nearing 70, had been paying taxes despite their undocumented status but were ineligible for Social Security benefits. They will leave with only clothing and a few keepsakes from the apartment they have lived in since arriving in the United States in 1999. The funds raised will cover airfare and initial living expenses in Korea.
As of 4 p.m. on August 12, the campaign had raised $7,308. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page. Kim said she hopes the campaign will highlight the challenges faced by the immigrant community.
Meanwhile, opposition to what activists describe as excessive immigration raids is growing in Los Angeles. On August 12, hundreds gathered near MacArthur Park for a large protest organized by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and labor groups, condemning actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The protest began at midnight and lasted nearly 20 hours, featuring street demonstrations and a candlelight vigil. CHIRLA representatives said, “Our workplaces are being used by federal agents to violate workers’ rights. Employers profit from our labor while staying silent about attacks on our communities. We are here to send a warning to these companies.”
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
