Korean-American civil rights organizations held an emergency press conference on January 22 to voice their strong opposition to former President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan.
The National Korean American Civil Rights Organizations Coalition and the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) urged President Trump to abandon his anti-immigration policies, which they argue unfairly target immigrant communities.
During the press conference, these organizations condemned President Trump’s efforts to portray undocumented immigrants as criminals, labeling such tactics as harmful and misleading.
NAKASEC emphasized their concern about the negative impact these policies could have on Korean Americans without permanent legal status, including undocumented immigrants. Speaking during the online press event, representatives expressed fears that the implementation of such policies would further marginalize vulnerable members of the Korean-American community and create unnecessary hardships.
Korean-American civil rights organizations, including the Center Together (Fairfax), the Hana Center (Chicago), the Woori Center (Pennsylvania), the MinKwon Center (New York), and Woori Huntoos (Houston), warned during the press conference that President Trump’s national emergency declaration, which included a crackdown on undocumented immigrants and deportations, would lead to widespread detentions and indiscriminate raids targeting undocumented immigrants across the country. They urged Korean Americans to familiarize themselves with their “legal rights” in case of arrest.
NAKASEC estimates that one in seven Koreans in the United States is undocumented. Among recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Korean Americans represent the largest group among Asian beneficiaries. During Trump’s first term (2017–2020), at least 500 undocumented Korean Americans were deported.
“The Trump administration’s second-term executive orders and immigration policies focus on quickly arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants through the use of the National Guard and local law enforcement agencies,” said NAKASEC representative CJ Naka Sek. “Notably, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have removed their previous priorities for targeting undocumented immigrants.”
This shift means that, beyond those with criminal offenses, undocumented immigrants in general workplaces and public spaces are now being targeted for raids.
Additionally, the possibility of local law enforcement agencies participating in major immigration crackdowns under the 287(g) agreement with federal immigration agencies has increased—particularly in areas that have not declared themselves immigrant sanctuary cities.
“There was an instance during Trump’s first term where a Korean undocumented immigrant was detained at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),” said Joo-beom Cha, senior advisor at the MinKwon Center for Community Action. “In addition to surprise raids, ICE and other agencies can conduct enforcement actions at various locations.”
He also advised travelers to exercise caution at border crossings, avoid scams and crimes, and refrain from using out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants.
Meanwhile, NAKASEC recommended the use of the app Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants (iPhone) or KYR 4 Immigrants (Android), which provides immigrants with critical guidance on their legal rights. The app features legal rights information, English-language rights guides, emergency contact details, and connections to civil rights organizations for support in the event of an ICE raid.
NAKASEC staff and 200 volunteers also operate a 24-hour hotline (844-500-3222) to support undocumented immigrants in need of assistance.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
