A support organization announced on Sunday that Kim Tae Hung, a 41-year-old U.S. permanent resident, had been released after about 4 months in detention. Kim was arrested at the airport immediately upon returning to the United States following a visit to Korea.
The Korean American Service and Education Consortium (KASEC) reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released Kim from the El Valle immigration detention center in Raymondville, Texas, the previous day.
Kim was detained on July 21 at San Francisco International Airport after being classified for secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during entry screening. He was returning from attending his brother’s wedding in Korea and had lived in the U.S. for over 35 years. Kim was pursuing a doctoral degree at Texas A&M University, researching a Lyme disease vaccine.
It’s understood that CBP raised concerns about Kim’s 2011 incident involving possession of a small amount of marijuana (less than 30 grams). Kim had completed all the required community service at the time. KASEC and his family have argued that a minor offense from 14 years ago should not justify prolonged detention.
In a statement, KASEC strongly condemned the actions taken against Kim, asserting that such treatment should never occur. The organization reported that CBP denied Kim access to legal counsel during his arrest, moved him more than twice daily, and forced him to sleep with lights on throughout the night.
After ICE took over the case, Kim was transferred between detention facilities in California, Arizona, and Texas. KASEC claimed that ICE wasted substantial taxpayer money on unnecessary transfers, and both CBP and ICE blatantly disregarded Kim’s legal rights at every stage.
During an immigration court hearing last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly failed to produce documents justifying Kim’s arrest and detention. The court dismissed the case, and although DHS was granted an appeal period, it did not file within the deadline. Despite this, ICE allegedly held Kim for an additional four days.
This incident was brought up during President Lee Jae Myung’s meeting with the Korean-American community during his U.S. visit in August. A letter from Kim’s mother was delivered to President Yoon, who promptly instructed the embassy to assist. Subsequently, the Consul General in Washington, D.C. reached out to KASEC and Kim’s family to offer support.
KASEC has been advocating for Kim’s release through a nationwide campaign. The organization reports sending over 140 phone calls, more than 2,000 petitions, and over 120 emails to federal congressional offices, as well as conducting eight meetings with congressional staff.
Becky Belcore, KASEC’s co-executive director, criticized the continued detention, saying private prison companies earn about $165 per day for each detainee and that immigrants like Kim are treated as commodities rather than people.
Han Young Woon, KASEC’s organizing director, shared that Kim desperately wanted to return to his studies, family, and three dogs. People across the nation rallied for Kim, and he and his family expressed deep gratitude and amazement at this outpouring of support.
KASEC announced its commitment to continuing to support Kim as he transitions back to his normal research and life.
