Major League Baseball star detained by immigration officials prompting Nancy Pelosi to intervene
San Francisco Giants star Jung Hoo Lee was arrested by immigration officials, prompting Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat and former House speaker, to intervene.
The 27-year-old Giants outfielder was arrested Wednesday by Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport because he left documents in South Korea, Pelosi’s office said in a statement shared by several media outlets.
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“Our office is actively working with the Giants organization, our congressional partners and federal liaisons to resolve this situation and ensure the prompt release of Mr. Lee,” the former two-time Speaker of the House of Representatives said.
Lee was later released, the Giants said, after his “brief issue traveling to LAX due to a paperwork issue.”
“The matter was quickly clarified with the relevant authorities, and he has since been allowed to continue his journey. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved,” a team spokesperson told the media.
San Francisco Giants star Jung Hoo Lee was arrested by immigration officials, prompting Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, to intervene (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Lee’s agent, Scott Boras, told the Chronicle of San Francisco it was “nothing political or anything like that.”
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Detentions by federal agents have become a hot topic amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Lee arrived at LAX ahead of an appearance at the Giants FanFest in San Ramon on Saturday. The tour, which features several stops in Northern California, gives fans the opportunity to meet players and coaches.
Lee is of South Korean descent, but he was born in Nagoya, Japan, where his father, Korean baseball star Jong Beom Lee, played for the Chunichi Dragons, according to his MLB profile. During his introductory press conference, Lee called himself “Grandson of the Wind.” His father is known as “Son of the Wind”.
The 27-year-old Giants outfielder was arrested Wednesday by Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport because he forgot his documents, Pelosi’s office said (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Lee debuted in the majors in March 2024 after playing for seven years for the Kiwoom Heroes in Korea. Lee agreed to a six-year contract with the Giants worth $113 million in December 2023, ESPN reported at the time, citing unnamed sources.
The Giants will begin spring training for the 2026 season in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early February.
