Scientist Developing Lyme Disease Vaccine Detained Over Old Drug Conviction

Tae Heung Kim, a 40-year-old scientist and green card holder, was detained by U.S. immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport on July 21, 2025, after returning from his brother’s wedding in South Korea 🇰🇷. Kim, who researches a Lyme disease vaccine at Texas A&M, now faces possible deportation due to a 2011 misdemeanor marijuana conviction. As of August 1, 2025, he remains in immigration detention in Arizona, raising questions about the treatment of legal permanent residents and the strict enforcement of drug-related immigration laws.

Kim’s detention began at the airport, where he spent over a week in harsh conditions. Reports say he had no daylight, slept in a chair, and received little food or water. He was denied access to his attorneys and allowed only a short call to his family. After this period, officials transferred him to an immigration detention center in Arizona. Since then, his attorneys and family have had no direct contact with him, and his health—especially his asthma—has become a growing concern.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) state that any green card holder convicted of a drug offense, even a misdemeanor, is in violation of their status and can be removed from the United States 🇺🇸. CBP issued Kim a Notice to Appear, the official document that starts deportation proceedings, and ICE is now handling his detention. Kim’s attorney, Eric Lee, is representing him for free and has criticized the lack of due process, saying CBP officials told him Kim had no right to speak to a lawyer while in airport custody.

Kim’s mother, a U.S. citizen, has spoken out about her worries for her son’s health and safety. She is especially concerned about whether he has access to his asthma medication while in detention. Kim has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 since he was five years old and became a legal permanent resident in 2011. His parents are naturalized citizens, but Kim was too old to automatically gain citizenship when they did.

The 2011 marijuana charge that now threatens Kim’s future in the United States 🇺🇸 was a misdemeanor in Texas, where recreational marijuana use is still illegal. Kim completed community service for the offense, and his attorneys say he successfully petitioned for nondisclosure, which means the record was sealed from public view. However, immigration authorities can still access sealed records and use them as grounds for removal.

Kim’s professional work focuses on developing a vaccine for Lyme disease, a serious public health problem in the United States 🇺🇸. His research at Texas A&M has been described as important for fighting the spread of this disease, which affects thousands of Americans each year. The case has drawn attention from scientists, public health advocates, and immigration experts who worry about the loss of skilled researchers due to strict immigration enforcement.

Federal officials maintain that the law is clear: any drug conviction, no matter how minor or old, makes a green card holder removable. This policy has not changed in recent years. As of August 2025, there have been no new waivers or relief options for green card holders with minor or old drug offenses. Advocacy groups and legal experts have called for reform, arguing that the law is too harsh and does not allow for consideration of a person’s ties to the United States 🇺🇸 or the seriousness of the offense.

Attorneys and immigrant rights groups, including the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), have strongly criticized Kim’s treatment. They say that holding him for days in airport detention without access to a lawyer or basic needs is inhumane and violates his rights as a legal permanent resident. They also argue that minor, nonviolent offenses should not lead to such severe consequences, especially for people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for most of their lives.

Kim’s case highlights the risks faced by green card holders with any criminal record, even for minor or old offenses. Experts warn that legal permanent residents who travel abroad may be detained and placed in removal proceedings upon reentry if they have any drug-related conviction. They advise green card holders to consult with an immigration attorney before traveling outside the United States 🇺🇸 if they have any criminal history.

The process for removal begins when CBP identifies a drug conviction during inspection at the airport. CBP then issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), which starts the deportation process. The official form for this is the Notice to Appear (Form I-862). After the NTA is issued, ICE takes custody of the individual, who may be held in airport detention before being transferred to an ICE facility. During this time, access to legal counsel is often limited, and communication with family can be difficult.

Kim’s attorneys are now challenging his removal in immigration court in Arizona. They are arguing on both legal and humanitarian grounds, hoping to stop his deportation and secure his release from detention. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for other green card holders facing similar situations, especially regarding access to legal counsel and the fairness of removing people for minor, nonviolent offenses.

Advocacy groups continue to push for legislative reform that would give immigration judges more discretion in these cases. They want the law changed so that minor or old offenses do not automatically lead to removal. As of now, no new laws or executive orders have been enacted to address these concerns.

Kim’s health and well-being remain a top concern for his family and supporters. They worry about his access to medical care in detention and the impact of prolonged separation from his family and research work. The case has also sparked debate about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting the rights and contributions of long-term residents.

For those seeking more information about immigration detention or the status of a loved one, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainee Locator System provides official resources. Individuals with legal questions or in need of advocacy can contact organizations like NAKASEC for help.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Kim’s case is being closely watched by legal experts, advocacy groups, and lawmakers. The outcome may influence future policy debates about the treatment of green card holders and the need for more humane and flexible immigration laws.

In summary, Tae Heung Kim’s experience shows that green card holders with any drug conviction, even a minor one from years ago, remain at risk of detention and deportation when returning to the United States 🇺🇸. No new relief or policy changes have been made to protect such individuals as of August 2025. Kim’s ongoing case highlights the need for reform and raises important questions about fairness, due process, and the value of long-term residents to American society.