Texas Researcher Detained for Week at San Francisco Airport
A researcher from Texas A&M University, Tae Heung “Will” Kim, has been detained for more than a week by immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Kim, a legal permanent resident, was returning from South Korea after attending his brother’s wedding when he was stopped on July 21, 2025. His family and attorneys reported that he faced inhumane conditions, sleeping in a chair and relying on airport food during his detention.
The reasons for Kim’s detention remain unclear, according to his attorney, Karl Krooth. Kim’s legal status could be jeopardized due to a past misdemeanor drug charge from 2011 involving marijuana possession in Texas. His attorneys did not elaborate on the specifics of this charge but noted that Kim had fulfilled a community service requirement and successfully petitioned to seal the offense from public record.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that any green card holder with a drug offense may be detained. This situation occurs within a broader context of heightened immigration enforcement policies under the administration of former President Donald Trump, which have resulted in the detention of numerous individuals, including American citizens and lawful residents, for minor infractions.
Conditions of Detention Raise Concerns
Kim, who has spent most of his life in the United States after arriving at the age of five, is currently being held at an immigration detention facility in Arizona. His attorney emphasized that Kim’s treatment at the airport violated his right to due process, stating, “The airport is not a detention facility. The airport is not in the immigration courtroom.” Krooth described Kim’s experience, mentioning that he was moved between small rooms for secondary inspections multiple times a day, often without access to natural light.
During his detention at the airport, Kim was granted only one phone call and minimal communication with his brother. Since his transfer to Arizona, communication with him has ceased, raising further concerns about his well-being.
Family’s Concerns and Background
Kim’s mother, Yehoon “Sharon” Lee, expressed anxiety about her son’s health, particularly concerning his asthma and the adequacy of medical care in detention. Lee, who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s on a business visa, revealed that her family faced challenges in securing citizenship for Kim. By the time Lee and her husband became naturalized citizens, Kim was too old for automatic citizenship.
The family is now seeking legal assistance to navigate the complex immigration proceedings against Kim. As his situation unfolds, the implications of his detention reflect broader issues surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of individuals caught in legal limbo.
