College student sought for deportation sues US government
US authorities are seeking to deport a university student who has resided in the country since she was seven years old, her lawsuit fighting the action says, as the US administration ramps up President Donald Trump’s campaign against students linked to pro-Palestinian protests.
Trump has targeted New York’s Columbia University, which the student attends, an epicentre of the US student protest movement sparked by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The Trump administration has stripped federal funds and directed immigration officers to deport foreign student demonstrators.
Authorities are seeking to detain Yunseo Chung, 21, a South Korean citizen and permanent resident of the US, under the same powers they recently used to arrest and hold Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil pending deportation.
Chung, whom officers have been reportedly unable to find, sued the US government on Monday arguing that “immigration enforcement – here, immigration detention and threatened deportation – may not be used as a tool to punish noncitizen speakers who express political views disfavored by the current administration”.
The current whereabouts of Chung are unknown, according to reports.
Federal judge issues temporary restraining order stopping federal agents from detaining Columbia University student
Yunseo Chung is a 21-year-old permanent resident and Columbia University junior.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/us/yunseo-chung-columbia-lawsuit-trump-ice/index.html
A federal judge Tuesday temporarily stopped federal agents from detaining 21-year-old Yunseo Chung, a US permanent resident and Columbia University junior, following her participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
Chung sued the Trump administration Monday to stop removal proceedings.
The lawsuit is also looking to stop the “pattern and practice of targeting individuals associated with protests for Palestinian rights for immigration enforcement,” saying it is retaliation for protected political speech.
Judge rules Columbia protester Yunseo Chung can't be detained as she fights deportation
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