Columbia student sues Trump to halt protest-related deportation
21-year-old Yunseo Chung is a student at Columbia University, originally from South Korea. She gained recognition for filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials in an attempt to stop her deportation following her arrest during an anti-Israel protest.
Chung, who has lived in the United States since she was 7 years old and is a legal resident, was arrested on March 5 during a protest at Barnard College, which is affiliated with Columbia University.
The protest concerned sanctions imposed by the college on anti-Israeli activists. She was charged with obstructing administrative actions and received a court summons.
A few days later, Homeland Security agents visited Chung's parents' home, and a federal agent contacted her via text message. After her lawyer's intervention, Chung learned that the State Department was revoking her legal status and that a warrant for her arrest had been issued.
According to the lawsuit, the actions of the Trump administration aim to "suppress" her freedom of speech.
"They would retaliate against and punish noncitizens, including Ms. Chung, for their actual or perceived advocacy for Palestinian rights," her attorneys emphasize.
Officials at the highest levels of the federal government have clearly expressed their intention to use immigration law enforcement to punish foreigners who speak out in defense of Palestinians and their rights or are perceived as being engaged in such activities.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told "The New York Times" that Chung ""has engaged in concerning conduct, including when she was arrested by NYPD during a pro-Hamas protest at Barnard College. She is being sought for removal proceedings under the immigration laws."
Chung is not the only student involved in anti-Israel protests facing deportation. Former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil was detained on March 8 and is held in a facility in Louisiana, while his lawyers fight for his stay in the country.
Problems of the 21-year-old student
Last year, Chung appeared before a disciplinary committee after posting flyers accusing Columbia's Board of Trustees of "complicity in genocide," but the university found that she did not violate any rules.
The lawsuit, which also names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and other Trump administration officials, calls on the court to overturn the decision to deport Chung and protect her from arrest.
