I spent the first 26 years of my life in the United States, never imagining that one day I’d be forced to leave the only home I’ve ever known. Born to Korean immigrant parents, I grew up in Philadelphia, surrounded by family and friends who shaped my identity as an American. I built a life—a career, a relationship, and most importantly, a bond with my young son.

But everything changed when I was deported to South Korea after a mistake I made during a troubled period of my life. I had no idea that my past actions could lead to deportation, especially as someone who had lived in the U.S. for as long as I can remember. Suddenly, I found myself in a country that felt foreign, struggling to navigate a culture I barely knew, a language I didn’t speak fluently, and a life far removed from the one I’d built. The hardest part has been the distance from my family—my girlfriend, my son, and my loved ones who remain in America, half a world away.

This story isn’t just about me—it’s about the millions of others who face similar fates, and the families left behind to pick up the pieces. Through “My Dearly Deported,” I want to share the emotional and cultural challenges of being forcibly uprooted. The mission is to shed light on the human cost of deportation and help others in this situation feel less alone.