
150,000 Koreans in U.S. Subject to Trump’s Deportation Order
You are NOT allowed in my country. This is MY country. This is MY land. I want you OUT of it.
The "Unknown" Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and NowThe Plight of Korean Adoptees
The U.S. has a significant population of international adoptees, many from South Korea. Due to administrative oversights, many individuals were never granted U.S. citizenship. Unaware of their non-citizen status, they may inadvertently engage in activities reserved for citizens, such as voting, thereby risking severe legal consequences.
When I stood in front of the immigration judge, he scolded: “You are NOT allowed in my country. This is MY country. This is MY land. I want you OUT of it.” Immigration Judge of Monte Haines, Contributor of ‘The “Unknown” Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now‘

The “Unknown” Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now, compiled by the Vance Twins and Katherine Kim, Art by Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom
Victim of the adoption industry and contributor of The “Unknown” Culture Club: Korean Adoptees, Then and Now, Monte was born in 1970 in South Korea and was sent for adoption to a family in Iowa in 1978 through Holt International on an IR-4 visa. His adoption was never finalized, and then Monte was again relinquished. He bounced around between several foster homes before his parents legally adopted him in 1981. In 2009, he was deported to South Korea, where he was unfamiliar with the language or culture.” – From the Korean Adoptee Anthology compiled by the @vancetwins_
Estimates suggest that thousands of international adoptees lack citizenship, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and other legal challenges.
This blog posting is inspired by the recent Korea JoonAng Daily article, “150,000 Koreans in U.S. Subject to Trump’s Deportation Order.”
“The right to vote is sacred,” Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, said in a statement at the time. “If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it’s illegal to vote -– whether you thought you were allowed to or not. You will be held accountable.” –Politico
In conclusion, non-citizens, including certain international adoptees, must exercise caution and understand their legal status to avoid the severe consequences of (illegal) voting.
Adopted From Holt? What you can do. Don’t Panic. Keep Yourself Safe. Contact Adoptees4Justice or The Citizenship Clinic at Adoptees United.
Citizenship for All