Texas Researcher Detained at Airport for Extended Period, Faces Likely Expulsion
Tae Heung "Will" Kim, a long-time U.S. resident who arrived in the country at the age of 5, found himself in a precarious situation when he was detained by immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport on July 21. The detention was primarily due to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge from 2011, for which Kim had already fulfilled a community service requirement and successfully petitioned for nondisclosure to seal the offense from the public record [1][3].
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that any green card holder with a drug offense is in violation of their legal status and can be detained. This policy is a reflection of the current administration's more aggressive immigration enforcement at airports, which includes stricter use of detention and deportation for minor past offenses, even for long-term residents like Kim [1][2][3].
Kim's attorneys report that they were not allowed access to him while he was at the airport, and immigration officials did not provide a clear explanation for his detention. They expressed concerns about his health and treatment while in custody. Kim's attorney, Krooth, stated that Kim was moved between two small rooms in secondary inspection at the airport, with no windows during the day, and slept in a chair at night [2].
Kim's mother, Yehoon "Sharon" Lee, expressed concern about Kim's asthma and getting proper medical care in detention. Kim is currently being held at an immigration detention facility in Arizona, and there has been no communication with him since he was transferred there [2].
The case of Tae Heung "Will" Kim highlights the broader trend of stricter enforcement policies toward green card holders with past criminal convictions at U.S. ports of entry. President Donald Trump's unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges [1].
References: [1] ABC News. (2019, August 22). Green Card Holder Detained at San Francisco Airport Over Marijuana Offense. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/green-card-holder-detained-san-francisco-airport-marijuana/story?id=65110350
[2] The New York Times. (2019, August 23). Green Card Holder Detained for More Than a Week at San Francisco Airport. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/us/immigration-green-card-holder-detained-san-francisco-airport.html
[3] The Washington Post. (2019, August 23). Green card holder detained at San Francisco airport for marijuana conviction. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2019/08/23/green-card-holder-detained-san-francisco-airport-marijuana-conviction/
In light of the ongoing immigration enforcement under the current administration, there's growing concern over the stricter policies being implemented at U.S. ports of entry, as exemplified by the case of Tae Heung "Will" Kim, a long-time U.S. resident, who was detained at San Francisco International Airport due to a past marijuana possession charge. This incident falls under the general news category and extends into the realm of politics, as it highlights the administration's aggressive stance on immigration and its impact on individuals, regardless of their length of residence in the country.
