•38-year-old arrested, detained:  The Korea Daily reports that a Korean-American – who arrived in the US at 3-months-old –  was arrested and sent to detention at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center after he and his US citizen wife attended a scheduled interview for family-based residency at US Citizen & Immigration offices in LA. The case is scheduled for a hearing at the end of March 2026. Similar cases involving citizen family-based applicants adjusting status – all with no criminal record – are being reported.

Some cases involve simple address errors.  “Attorney Wanseok Oh explained, “In the past, simple overstays by immediate relatives of US citizens were not treated as major issues during interviews, and arrests almost never happened. But since the Trump administration, both adjudication and enforcement have become stricter, and even small issues in an applicant’s older records can lead to arrest at the interview.

Applicants can report address changes online by creating an account at uscis.gov or by mailing the AR-11 form. Each family member must file individually, even if they moved together. Only the applicant’s current address must be listed, regardless of prior moves. Even if the 10-day deadline has passed, attorneys say filing now remains the safest option.”

Oh emphasized, “As immigration policy becomes stricter, even small obligations can lead to real enforcement. Until someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they must manage address updates and record maintenance with much greater diligence.”Until someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they must manage address updates and record maintenance with much greater diligence.””

Nationwide there are 3,413,337 pending immigration cases. The backlog of cases worsened after the Trump Administration dismissed dozens of immigration judges and reduced budgets. Immigration case backlogs in Southern California include: North LA court/42,383; Van Nuys court /40,998; West LA court/33,526. The wait time between receiving a Notice to Appear and a final ruling can take years.

Korea Daily reports that according to a Dec. 2 M9 News report that USCIS is asking some Green Card applicants to submit their children’s school records as part of a Request for Evidence. One such green card applicant, in overstay status after entering on a B-1/B-2 visa in order to care for a spouse undergoing cancer treatment, is facing possible violation of a parent with a visitor status visa enrolling their child in school.

A mother attending an interview to adjust her Green Card Status was arrested in front of her husband and son. Chains were placed on her hands, waist and ankles and she was taken away in a van filled with other immigrants before being released 20 days later with an ankle bracelet.  The judge set bond for those arrested for overstaying visas at $1500 because none had criminal records. The day she was arrested her I-130 (petition to establish a valid family relationship proving immigration eligibility) was approved but her I-485 (register of permanent residence or adjustment of status) is stalled and awaits decision by judge.

Scientist and US permanent resident Tae Heung “Will” Kim, 40-years old, who came to the US at age 5, was released Nov 15 after four months in ICE detention. He was arrested and detained with no access to legal council or due process.  Department of Homeland Security failed to submit proper documentation justifying his arrest and detention to the court  and the case was dismissed.  Unlike most cases, Kim’s case received media and national attention which helped in his release.

Local business owners alarmed as ICE actions continued in LA. According to interviews with business owners by the Korea Daily – economic issues have worsened as many “employees are too afraid to come to work and customers are avoiding areas due to fear of raids” … businesses including car washes,  retail shops, swap meets, and restaurants are under severe economic pressure and concern is growing that ICE may expand to include religious facilities including churches, mosques and synagogues.

Korean-American violinist John Shin, 37,  emigrated to the US at age 10. He married a US citizen in 2021 but his green card status was delayed when his wife lost her job during the pandemic. He was arrested and detained for 17 days but was released after posting $25,000 bail.  The court granted the motion to terminate the deportation procedures and the government has not appealed. Shin’s ongoing effort to obtain permanent residency status is expected to take an additional 16 months according to his attorney.

ICE launched surprise inspections of companies employing foreign students under the Optional Practical Training program putting both international students and employers under pressure.

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Call to report incidents at 714-881-1558

A new rule proposed by US. Citizenship & Immigration Services will require all individuals of any age, including US citizens, lawful permanent residents, applicants, sponsors, family members and companies connected to immigration procedures –  to produce biometric data including, fingerprints, photos, palm prints, voice prints, handwritten signatures, iris, retinal, and scleral images, as well as DNA profiles to Homeland Security.

“The State of Immigration Enforcement and Legal Resources in Orange County,” a 2023 report by the Orange County Justice Fund found more than 2.1 million immigration cases are pending as they wait for decisions from immigration judges…The report also states many people are forced to go to immigration court without legal representation because there are not enough resources.

A report by the USC Equity Research Institute lays out seven facts based on data.

A report by the USC Equity Research Institute based on data.

The recent attacks on immigrants have harmed communities and sown fear. People are being taken in unmarked vehicles and disappeared without their right to due process. People are not going to work, businesses and restaurants are shutting down, food prices are on the rise, schools, hospitals, and churches are no longer safe.

These raids are devastating our economy, with statewide losses under a scenario of deporting all undocumented workers hovering around $275 billion, caused by labor shortages, delays, increased prices, and decreased business activity. A single raid can destabilize a neighborhood’s entire economy and can have resounding effects to disrupt entire industries. Unable to afford missing work, some force themselves to work in an atmosphere of fear that extends to the families and friends of undocumented immigrants.

The immigration raids ripple through every aspect of our lives and make communities less safe for everyone, not just undocumented immigrants.

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