A ruling by a judge on Tuesday prevents federal immigration officials from detaining a Korean American Columbia University student, Yunseo Chung, amid her legal battle against the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Chung, a 21-year-old lawful U.S. resident, has been living in the country since the age of seven. She took legal action against the administration after being notified of the revocation of her permanent resident status earlier this month.
President Trump has vowed to deport foreign individuals participating in pro-Palestinian protests, accusing them of supporting Hamas and impeding U.S. foreign policy, as well as labeling them as antisemitic. However, protesters, including various Jewish groups, argue that their criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian rights should not be equated with antisemitism or support for Hamas. Human rights advocates have criticized the government’s actions in this regard.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has alleged that Chung was involved in questionable activities, including an arrest during a protest at Barnard College that DHS labeled as “pro-Hamas.” Despite multiple visits by immigration agents to her residences, Chung has not been detained by federal officials.
In response to the government’s actions, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday preventing Chung’s detainment. Chung’s lawsuit contends that the government’s actions are part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Another Columbia University protester, Mahmoud Khalil, is legally challenging his recent arrest. Similarly, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was recently detained but had his deportation blocked by a federal judge. Momodou Taal, a student at Cornell University, has been asked to surrender himself as his visa is reportedly being revoked.
