Korean American Preparing Voluntary Departure Arrested by ICE in LA

Justin Chung, a Korean American man in his 30s living in Los Angeles, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while preparing for voluntary departure, according to the immigration enforcement hotline operated by NAKASEC (National Korean American Service & Education Consortium) on June 14.

Chung, who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of two, was involved in gang-related activity during his teenage years and was convicted of murder and attempted murder. He served 14 years in prison and was originally sentenced to 82 years, but his sentence was reduced, leading to an early release.

After his release, Chung became active in his community. He mentored at-risk youth, supported incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, and spoke at police departments on gang prevention.

In October 2023, Chung married a U.S. citizen. On June 12, he received a notice from ICE to report for deportation. While preparing for voluntary departure, ICE agents unexpectedly detained him.

Chung’s wife, currently pregnant and expecting to give birth in February 2026, launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to cover legal expenses and deportation-related costs. “My husband has lived a changed life after serving time for a crime he committed in his youth,” she wrote. “Deporting him would destroy our family.”