Columbia University students are currently unable to be detained by immigration officials.
A Korean-American Columbia University student is a law-permanent U.S. resident and participated in a pro-Palestinian protest and is currently unable to be detained by federal immigration officials as she battles the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the judge ruled Tuesday.
Yunseo Chung, 21, has lived in the United States since he was seven and sued the Trump administration on Monday to prevent his deportation. Her legal team was told this month that her legal permanent resident status is being revoked, according to court records in the Southern District Court of New York.
Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and accused them of supporting Hamas militants, posing obstacles to U.S. foreign policy and anti-Semitism.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government has mistakenly combined their criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism and support for Hamas. Human rights advocates condemn the government’s actions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that Zhong was involved in the behavior, including when she was arrested by police during a protest at Barnard College, the society called DHS “Pro-Hamas.”
Chung has not been arrested by federal officials. Immigration agents made several visits to her residence.
Order to prevent detention
U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald issued a temporary restraining order against the government on Tuesday to prevent Chung from being detained, court records show.
Her lawsuit says the action against the clock is part of the government’s efforts to oppose criticism of Israel’s military attack on Gaza.
Colombian protester Mahmoud Khalil was arrested this month and legally challenged his detention and is also a legal permanent resident. Trump accused Khalil of supporting Hamar without evidence, and Khalil denied Khalil.
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was detained last week. A federal judge banned Suri from deportation.
His lawyer said U.S. officials asked Cornell student Momodou Taal to hand in himself, adding that his visa was revoked.
