Detained Korean national chooses return to homeland after 1.5 years in US facility

A Korean national, identified as Kim Choong-sik (57, pseudonym), has chosen to leave the United States after enduring a grueling 1.5-year detention in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Kim's story sheds light on the harsh realities faced by immigrants navigating the U.S. legal system, even after decades of residency.

Kim arrived in Los Angeles with his mother in 1979 at the age of 10 and had lived in the U.S. for over 40 years, considering himself virtually American. However, he never obtained U.S. citizenship due to issues with his name change and a lost document from his previous surname. A past fraud charge led to his arrest and placement on an ICE deportation list in November 2024. Despite arguing that the offense was not severe enough for deportation, his plea was not accepted.

Compounding his situation, Kim won a cancellation of removal order from an immigration judge in August 2024. However, the Trump administration appealed the decision, prolonging his detention indefinitely. "That's when I realized, 'I can't live in America anymore,'" Kim recounted, describing the feeling of hopelessness within the facility. He noted that even individuals with legal representation and financial resources faced lengthy detentions.

Kim was transferred to the Calipatria State Prison in California's desert region, a facility notorious for its poor conditions. He described the water as having an unpleasant smell, forcing him to mix it with spices to make it drinkable. Medical care was rudimentary, relying heavily on Tylenol, with waits of at least ten days to see medical staff. Frequent lockdowns, imposed arbitrarily due to incidents within the facility, further restricted movement and access to basic amenities like restrooms, leading to unsanitary conditions.

Ultimately, the prolonged detention and bleak outlook led Kim to decide to return to Korea, a country he barely remembers. "There was no more hope. I didn't have the money for a lawyer, nor the confidence to endure the lawsuit," he explained. He observed a pervasive lack of hope among detainees, understanding why some might consider ending their lives. Kim advises those considering coming to the U.S. to ensure their legal status is impeccable before arrival, as a single encounter with ICE can lead to extremely difficult-to-escape situations.