Kim Tae-heung, who has lived in the U.S. since he was 5, went to Korea for his younger brother's wedding while taking a doctorate course at Texas State University Presumably due to the history of prosecution for possession of cannabis 14 years ago Kim Tae-heung (far right) who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities attended his younger brother's wedding. Provided by the Council of Korean Volunteer Education Organizations in the U.S While the Donald Trump administration is stepping up its crackdown on foreign visas, a South Korean scientist in his 40s, who is bright on his PhD at a U.S. university with a U.S. green card, was reportedly arrested by authorities at the airport on his way back to the U.S. and detained for eight days.According to the Council of Korean Volunteer Education Organizations in the U.S. on the 29th (local time), Kim Tae-heung (40), a Korean permanent resident living in Texas, was arrested on the 21st at San Francisco International Airport under the name of "second screening" while undergoing immigration screening and is being detained at an authorities facility.The Washington Post (WP) also reported Kim's story on the same day. The Washington Post pointed out that the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants is sweeping not only illegal immigrants with little or no criminal background but also legal immigrants with valid residence visas or permanent residency.Kim, who was born in Korea, came to the United States with his parents at the age of five and has lived in the United States for more than 35 years, and is conducting research on Lyme disease vaccines at A&M University, one of Texas' prestigious state universities.He went to Korea with his family early this month to attend his brother's wedding, and was detained at the airport on his way back to the U.S. alone after a two-week schedule, according to the U.S.-Korean Association.Kim's lawyer said authorities have not said why they detained him, and that they are preventing Kim from consulting with his lawyer or contacting his family except for allowing a short call with his mother on the 25th.Kim had a history of being charged with possessing a small amount of cannabis in 2011, but he was ordered to serve the community and reportedly fulfilled all of them.Kim's lawyer criticized, "I am angry that Kim violated the Constitution, even though he is a researcher who should receive government support," adding, "A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official refused to interview Kim's lawyer, saying that the Constitution does not apply to a person who has lived in the U.S. for 35 years."The Korea-U.S. Korea Association said Kim, a chronic asthma patient, may suffer from stress, and it has not been confirmed whether he is receiving the medicine properly.The CBP is violating human rights by ignoring laws and regulations despite the maximum period of detention of 72 hours (3 days), the group said. "This long-term detention and denial of access to lawyers is a serious violation of the constitution.""If a permanent resident is found guilty of a drug crime against his/her status, a notice of appearance will be issued to him/her, and CBP coordinates the detention space with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Evacuation Operations Unit (ERO)," a CBP spokesperson said in a statement to the WP.Kim's parents moved to the U.S. in the 1980s and obtained citizenship through various procedures. However, at that time, Kim and his younger brother did not receive citizenship because they had already passed the age of minors, who were automatically given citizenship benefits according to their parents.Kim's mother said, "My husband and I immigrated believing that everyone is a country of freedom and equality where they are treated fairly," adding, "My children are actually home to the United States, but they should not be trapped and treated unfairly just because they have made mistakes in the past or are not citizens."The U.S.-Korea Council plans to help Kim recover his legal rights through a formal trial, while spreading and publicizing Kim's story to federal lawmakers to help him avoid deportation.An official from the U.S. Federation of Korean Teachers' Association lamented in a Yonhap News call, "The current U.S. government's crackdown on immigrants is virtually lawless," adding, "The law does not apply at all."