Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Student Activist Yunseo Chung
NEW YORK – A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and lawful permanent U.S. resident, cannot be detained by immigration officials while her legal battle progresses. Chung found herself targeted by immigration authorities following her participation in a pro-Palestinian protest.
Background of the Case
U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald delivered the decision in Manhattan, focusing on the government’s failure to present sufficient information to substantiate its claims against Chung. The student, who emigrated from South Korea at the age of seven, has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration.
Claims of Targeted Enforcement
In her lawsuit, filed Monday, Chung asserts that the government is misusing immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress dissenting opinions. This came after she was prominently featured in media reports covering a recent protest that escalated to civil disobedience at Barnard College, where students occupied a library.
Deportation Threat
The Department of Homeland Security responded by stating that Chung had shown “concerning conduct” due to her arrest at the protest. Following her identification in the media, immigration officials sought her deportation by revoking her permanent resident status, and they attempted to locate her at her family home and university dormitory.
Broader Implications
Chung’s case sheds light on a trend where other student protesters have faced similar immigration enforcement actions. This includes Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia and Momodou Taal from Cornell, both of whom have been subjected to deportation threats following their participation in activism related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
