Green Card Holder Held at SFO, Denied Legal Access Over Old Drug Charge

Tae-heung Kim, a 40-year-old Korean American green card holder, has been held in federal custody for more than a week at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) without clear explanation, according to the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (Nakasec).

Kim, who immigrated to the U.S. at age 5 and has lived in the country for 35 years, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during secondary inspection on July 21, after returning from Korea, where he attended his brother’s wedding. He is currently a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University, conducting research on Lyme disease vaccine development.

Harsh Conditions and Legal Concerns

Kim is reportedly being held in inhumane conditions, including a windowless room with lights on around the clock and no access to a bed. He has been sleeping on chairs and can only send messages through intermediaries. He also has asthma, though it is unclear whether he has received any medical care.

Eric Lee, Kim’s attorney, said CBP has not provided a clear reason for the detention. Officials cited a 2011 marijuana possession charge in Texas, but Lee noted Kim completed court-mandated community service, and the case was later sealed. Lee added that when he asked a CBP supervisor whether constitutional protections—specifically the Fifth and Sixth Amendments—applied, the supervisor responded they did not.

Lee also claimed CBP has exceeded the 72-hour legal detention limit, holding Kim for over a week in improper conditions without access to legal counsel.

Family, Advocates Call for Release

Kim’s mother, Sharon Lee (65), a naturalized U.S. citizen, said, “Just because my son is not a citizen doesn’t mean he should be treated unfairly.” Both of Kim’s parents are U.S. citizens.

Nakasec has called for Kim’s immediate release. Becky Belcore, co-director of the group, said, “This case shows how dangerously far the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants, Asian communities, and constitutional rights has gone.”

As of July 28, Kim was believed to still be held at SFO, but his current location is unclear, according to Youngwoon Hyun, Nakasec’s national organizing director.

On July 29, CBP spokesperson Rusty Payne said green card holders with drug convictions may be issued a Notice to Appear and placed in removal proceedings, which can involve detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]