U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif, 34th District), whose constituency includes Los Angeles’ Koreatown, has lodged a formal protest with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the detention of two Korean nationals, Taeheung Kim and Yeonsoo Go, raising concerns about unlawful procedures.
According to Gomez’s office, the letter sent on August 22 to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem highlights procedural violations and calls for an official response from DHS.
“The detainment and treatment of Mr. Kim and Ms. Go, both of whom are in the U.S. legally, is unacceptable,” Gomez told The Korea Daily. “I am demanding accountability from DHS so that Korean Americans, and all immigrants, are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect under the law.”
In his letter, Gomez pointed out that immigration authorities confined Kim in a windowless detention room for a week, forced him to sleep under constant lighting, and provided him with airport concessions to eat.
The letter also addressed Go’s case, noting that during her detention and transfer, no clear explanation or notification was given. Gomez emphasized that this lack of transparency caused significant confusion and distress for both Go’s family and the local community. Ko has since been released.
Gomez further criticized DHS for initiating removal proceedings against Go despite her possession of a valid R-2 religious worker’s dependent visa through December. “This demonstrates a troubling lack of procedural transparency at DHS,” he wrote.
The congressman demanded formal answers from Secretary Noem on several points regarding Kim’s case, including: the grounds for his detention, justification for extended confinement at the airport, access to legal counsel, detention conditions and medical care, and whether his family was notified of the removal proceedings.
Regarding Go’s case, Gomez requested clarification on the legal basis for arresting a valid visa holder, the reasons for transferring her to another state without notifying family or counsel, discrepancies between DHS’s claims of unlawful status and official records, and the review process for forced removal.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
