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PhD candidate detained at airport despite green card status, denied counsel and medication

Jul 21, 2025 · San Francisco, CA, South Korea

Tae Heung "Will" Kim, a 40-year-old Korean American legal permanent resident and Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University, was detained by CBP at San Francisco Airport on July 21, 2025, upon returning from South Korea after attending his brother's wedding. He was held without access to legal counsel for more than a week and subsequently transferred to detention facilities in Arizona and Texas. The government initiated deportation proceedings based on a sealed 2011 misdemeanor marijuana conviction that Kim had completed and legally resolved. During detention, Kim was denied access to his asthma medication.

Timeline

Jul 28, 2025Kim transferred to detention facilities in Arizona and Texas after more than a week in initial custody
Jul 21, 2025Tae Heung Kim detained by CBP at San Francisco Airport upon returning from South Korea; held without legal counsel

Sources

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