In a significant ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald issued a temporary restraining order preventing federal immigration officials from detaining Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Korean American and legal permanent resident of the United States. Chung, a Columbia University student, has been involved in pro-Palestinian protests and is fighting against the Trump administration’s attempts to deport her.
Chung immigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven and has lived in the country ever since. Her legal team filed a lawsuit on Monday after being informed that her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked. The lawsuit argues that the government’s actions are part of a broader pattern targeting pro-Palestinian voices critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Chung engaged in “concerning conduct,” including a previous arrest during a protest at Barnard College. However, Chung has not been arrested by federal officials, although immigration agents have made multiple visits to her residences in search of her.
President Trump has vowed to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, accusing them of supporting Hamas militants and hindering U.S. foreign policy. Critics argue that the administration is wrongly conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism and support for Hamas. Human rights advocates have condemned these moves as an attack on free speech and political expression.
Chung’s case is not isolated. Another Columbia student, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested this month and is challenging his detention. Khalil, also a lawful permanent resident, denies Trump’s accusations of supporting Hamas. Additionally, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was detained but had his deportation blocked by a federal judge. Cornell University student Momodou Taal has been asked to turn himself in after his visa was revoked, according to his attorneys.
Judge Buchwald’s ruling prevents Chung’s detention for now, allowing her to continue her legal battle against deportation. The decision underscores concerns about the government’s approach to immigration enforcement and its impact on free speech rights.
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