Adopted Korean-American, 40, faces deportation after 37 years because his parents didn’t get him citizenship
- 8 years ago
TACOMA, WASHINGTON — Adam Crasper, an adoptee who came to America from South Korea aged 3, is set to be deported back there — a place that’s like another planet to him.
The 40-year-old father from Washington State came to the U.S. with his older sister in 1979, but, seven years later their first family abandoned them and the siblings were separated by adoption services.
Those same parents reportedly didn’t complete Adam’s citizenship papers. In 2000, a law was brought into place that would grant automatic citizenship to all adopted children of American parents aged 18 and younger. But by then Adam was in his 20s and didn’t qualify.
After spending time in foster homes, the 12-year-old Adam came into the care of Thomas and Dolly Crasper. Adam was physically abused while in their care. In the early 90s the Craspers were charged with physical child abuse, sexual abuse and rape. Thomas did 90 days in jail, while Dolly reportedly served 3 years’ probation, the Associated Press reported.
Adam’s run-ins with the law began when he broke into the Crasper’s home to get his Korean Bible and rubber shoes — mementos from Korea. Adam’s later criminal activity included assaulting a roommate, and jacking cars.
Now a husband and father of two daughters, Adam tried to renew his green card earlier this year but that didn’t go as planned. Authorities detained him at an immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington for 9 months when they discovered his criminal record.
Desperate to get out and see his family, Adam waived an appeal against his deportation, AP reported. And as soon as authorities get his paperwork in order, Adam will be deported to South Korea from the U.S — his home of nearly 40 years.
The 40-year-old father from Washington State came to the U.S. with his older sister in 1979, but, seven years later their first family abandoned them and the siblings were separated by adoption services.
Those same parents reportedly didn’t complete Adam’s citizenship papers. In 2000, a law was brought into place that would grant automatic citizenship to all adopted children of American parents aged 18 and younger. But by then Adam was in his 20s and didn’t qualify.
After spending time in foster homes, the 12-year-old Adam came into the care of Thomas and Dolly Crasper. Adam was physically abused while in their care. In the early 90s the Craspers were charged with physical child abuse, sexual abuse and rape. Thomas did 90 days in jail, while Dolly reportedly served 3 years’ probation, the Associated Press reported.
Adam’s run-ins with the law began when he broke into the Crasper’s home to get his Korean Bible and rubber shoes — mementos from Korea. Adam’s later criminal activity included assaulting a roommate, and jacking cars.
Now a husband and father of two daughters, Adam tried to renew his green card earlier this year but that didn’t go as planned. Authorities detained him at an immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington for 9 months when they discovered his criminal record.
Desperate to get out and see his family, Adam waived an appeal against his deportation, AP reported. And as soon as authorities get his paperwork in order, Adam will be deported to South Korea from the U.S — his home of nearly 40 years.