San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained by immigration officials at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday, prompting former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to intervene.
Pelosi's office confirmed that the 27-year-old was stopped by Customs and Border Protection after forgetting his travel documents in South Korea. 'Our office is actively working with the Giants organisation, our congressional partners and federal liaisons to resolve this situation and secure Mr. Lee's release expeditiously,' she said.
Lee was later released, with the Giants stating it was a 'brief travel issue due to a paperwork problem'. A team spokesperson added: 'The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities, and he has since been cleared to continue his travel. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.'
Lee's agent, Scott Boras, told the San Francisco Chronicle the incident was 'not anything political or anything like that'. The detention comes amid heightened attention on immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Lee, born in Nagoya, Japan, to South Korean baseball star Jong Beom Lee, signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants in December 2023. He was in Los Angeles ahead of a FanFest appearance in San Ramon on Saturday.
