Korean Woman Detained by ICE During Green Card Interview
Korean woman detained by ICE during a green card interview has remained in immigration custody for more than two months after authorities arrested the 71-year-old Gardena resident in June.
Korean American influencer Ed Choi told The Korea Daily on Aug. 27 that Chang Yeon Cho, 71, was suddenly arrested during her permanent residency interview despite having no criminal record.
Choi, who has more than 350,000 followers on Instagram, also shared Cho’s story on behalf of her husband, Jongs Soo Kim, 72.
According to Choi, the couple married last year and had been working in Gardena doing clothing alterations outsourced by dry cleaners.
Before her arrest, Cho became involved in a dispute with a woman over unpaid alteration fees. The woman later reported to police that Cho had tried to attack her with a weapon.
Choi said Cho has no criminal convictions, but he believes the arrest record stemming from that incident led immigration authorities to detain her during the green card review process.
Cho is currently being held at an ICE detention facility in Adelanto, San Bernardino County.
Korean Woman Detained by ICE Alleges Mistreatment
Questions have also been raised over Cho’s treatment while in custody.
Choi said Cho could not properly understand English on her first night in detention and was unable to immediately comply with a guard’s instructions.
“During that process, she was restrained, collapsed and was hospitalized at an outside hospital for eight days,” Choi said.
He explained that Cho lived in Brazil for many years before coming to the United States.
“She does not speak English but is fluent in Korean and Portuguese, and she understands some Spanish,” he said.
Korean Consulate Providing Assistance
The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles said it is aware of Cho’s detention and has been providing consular assistance.
Seung-yong Lee, a police consul at the consulate, told The Korea Daily on Aug. 27 that officials became involved after receiving a request from Cho’s husband.
“We visited the detention facility several times, met with Cho and checked on her health and living conditions inside the facility,” Lee said.
However, the consulate’s understanding of the circumstances surrounding Cho’s hospitalization differs from Choi’s account.
Lee confirmed that Cho was hospitalized outside the detention facility for eight days after being detained, but said the consulate understood that the hospitalization resulted from repeated symptoms of low blood pressure and vomiting caused by the abrupt change in environment and food that did not agree with her.
He added that Cho underwent an endoscopic examination at the hospital.
“The consulate will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide consular assistance to ensure that Cho is not subjected to unfair treatment at the detention facility,” Lee said.
Bond Denied and Final Removal Order Issued
Cho’s request for bond was denied on Aug. 25, and she was reportedly issued a final order of removal.
Choi said Cho wants to remain in the United States.
“We will pursue every available legal procedure to the end and help her stay in the United States,” he said.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to raise $24,000 for Cho’s legal expenses.
As of 5 p.m. on Aug. 27, the campaign had raised $20,462, or 86% of its goal.
