Almost every day, there are stories of immigrants being arrested and detained by federal agents: 19-year-old João Marciano do Carmo of Milford; 49-year-old Jhon Palacio-Morales of Lowell; 31-year-old Hernan Escobar of Malden.
But as a Korean living in Belmont, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in September has hit closest to home. Authorities detained 475 people who had been working at the South Korean car factory.
Yes, there could have been employment malpractices in the plant. But were the shackles, armed officers, and highly publicized action all necessary? It feels like a political performance to send a message that America is no longer available.
According to federal officials, many of those detained were contract workers rather than direct Hyundai employees. Still, it is hard for me to ignore that behind those numbers are someone’s dad, mom, husband, wife, or child, treated like criminals by law enforcement.
The nationwide numbers show the administration’s immigration policies in action. Nearly 230,000 people have been arrested and 234,000 people deported. And roughly 60,000 people are in ICE detention, according to The Guardian newspaper.
The raids have sharpened concerns for international students navigating visa challenges. And many of my high school friends are asking, ‘Could this happen in our neighborhood?’ Students who are not U.S. citizens are especially questioning their safety.
As an international student myself, I find myself conflicted. On one hand, the U.S. has given me incredible opportunities, such as exposure to new ideas and independence that I couldn’t find in my home country. It opened a whole new world for me, and I will forever be grateful for that. However, when I read about federal agents detaining hundreds of workers from an allied country’s company, I start to wonder what kind of message America is sending to the world.
I wonder if they even want me here.
Does promoting fear really make the country look tougher? Or is it pushing away the people who truly can contribute to making America greater?
Universities continue to advocate for their international students, and many Americans express their genuine support and understanding for immigrants. But again, the fear lingers. It makes me think deeply about what America stands for, and whether this approach truly serves its long-term interests.
If America wants to remain a leader in innovation, culture, and education, it must also remain a place where people from abroad feel welcome, not targeted. In fact, many of my high school friends who were born outside of the United States are smart, talented students who contribute greatly to the community in many aspects, such as participating in the Science Olympiad or performing during Belmont Town Day.
Every news article about new raids feels as if they are slowly coming after us. Boston was relatively safe up until now, but look at what is unfolding in Chicago, or the massive raids in Los Angeles this summer.
Will Boston be any different?
As we wait to see how the immigration debate plays out in the courts, in cities and states, and at the federal level, it has left many of us – the students, workers and everyone in between – wondering if the so-called American Dream is fading away.
Junyoung Hong is a junior at Belmont High School, where he plays on the varsity golf team and leads a Taekwondo demonstration team. Originally from South Korea, he has lived in Belmont since 2023.
