San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was detained yesterday evening at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving from South Korea, team officials said. His agent is chalking it up to a paperwork snag, and the Giants say they are working to resolve it. The hold could throw a wrench into Lee's scheduled appearance at the team's FanFest stop in San Ramon this Saturday.
Scott Boras, Lee's agent, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the incident was "just paper work" and that Lee likely forgot one of the required documents. A Giants spokesperson confirmed the club had been notified and was working to get things sorted, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Lee had flown in from South Korea to take part in the Giants' FanFest stop in San Ramon on Saturday. The team's FanFest page lists that appearance at City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road. Free tickets are required for the FanFest, and the event listing notes that "all appearances are subject to change," per MLB.com.
A spokesperson for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, told reporters that her office is working with the Giants organization, congressional partners, and federal liaisons to resolve the situation and secure Lee's release, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The involvement of Pelosi's office highlights how quickly teams and lawmakers can mobilize when a high-profile international arrival runs into trouble at the border.
Paperwork Problems Can Turn Into Longer Holds
Detentions over missing visa paperwork or questions about immigration status are not unusual at U.S. international airports. A 2025 story in the Los Angeles Times detailed a case at SFO in which a green card holder was held for more than a week while officials worked through immigration issues, underscoring that what appears to be a short delay can turn into a longer legal process.
For now, team officials and Boras say they are trying to resolve the paperwork quickly. The FanFest listing remains active, but the Giants continue to stress that all appearances are subject to change. We will update this story if officials confirm Lee's release or announce any changes to the FanFest schedule.
