News Summary
Tae Heung ‘Will’ Kim, a 40-year-old doctoral student at Texas A&M University, has been detained by immigration officials at San Francisco International Airport for over a week without clear explanation. Despite being a legal permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. since childhood, his detention has raised concerns about his treatment and constitutional rights. Limited communication with family and the absence of legal counsel during this period exacerbates worries, especially regarding his health issues, including asthma. The situation has sparked discussions about the rights of long-term residents and the need for transparency in immigration processes.
San Francisco, California
Tae Heung “Will” Kim, a 40-year-old doctoral student at Texas A&M University, has been detained by immigration officials at San Francisco International Airport for over a week without explanation. Authorities took Kim into custody on July 21 after he returned from a two-week visit to South Korea to attend his younger brother’s wedding. Despite being a legal permanent resident and having lived in the United States since the age of five, Kim’s detention has raised serious concerns regarding his treatment and constitutional rights.
During his week-long detention, Kim has reportedly faced restrictions including a lack of access to legal counsel and minimal communication with his family. He has been held in custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while facing pending removal proceedings. Kim’s attorney has indicated that there may be no clear explanation for his detention.
Background on Kim
Kim is a South Korean citizen who has been residing in the U.S. with a green card for many years. He began his doctoral studies in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M in summer 2021, having previously earned a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the same university in 2007. According to Texas A&M University, Kim is currently in good academic standing, contributing to research that could benefit American farmers and outdoor workers by developing a Lyme disease vaccine.
Until his detention, Kim had maintained a low-profile life included completing community service in response to a minor marijuana possession charge from 2011, for which his record was sealed. His attorney has suggested that this past incident may be influencing his current situation, but contends that Kim qualifies for a legal waiver that protects permanent residents from deportation for minor offenses.
Health Concerns
Family members are increasingly alarmed about Kim’s well-being, given his health issues, particularly his asthma. They have expressed concerns regarding his access to necessary medication during his detention. Communication with his family has been limited, primarily comprising brief texts that may have been filtered through immigration officials, further exacerbating their worries about his state.
Legal and Social Implications
The circumstances surrounding Kim’s detention have sparked discussions regarding the constitutional rights of long-term residents re-entering the U.S. after international travel. The lack of communication and clarity surrounding his status raises significant legal questions about the treatment of permanent residents in immigration proceedings.
As friends, family, and legal representatives seek assistance, there has been an outcry for more transparency from immigration authorities. KBTX has reached out to Texas representatives and officials for comments about possible support for Kim and his family but has not received substantial responses. The situation continues to evolve, with further developments expected as advocates rally for Kim’s immediate release.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
College Station Police Apprehend Multiple Suspects Over Weekend
22-Year-Old Arrested for Attempted Sexual Assaults in Bryan
College Station Head-On Collision Leaves One Critically Injured
Transformative Developments in College Station Student Housing
Texas A&M Student Faces Federal Firearms Charge Amid Immigration Hold
Two Arrested in College Station Narcotics Investigation
New Student Housing Project Planned Near Texas A&M
College Station City Council Evaluates Midtown Development Proposal
College Station City Council Advances Key Capital Projects
Texas House to Vote on University Transfer Bill
Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Texas A&M Student Detained
- Wikipedia: Immigration in the United States
- KBTX: Immigration Officials Detain Student
- Google Search: Texas A&M University Immigration Detention
- Washington Post: Korean Scientist Detained
- Google Scholar: Immigration Law
- CW39: Texas A&M Researcher Held for Over a Week
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Deportation
- Newsweek: Green Card Holder Detained
- Google News: ICE Detention Texas A&M
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
