Columbia Student Sues Trump Administration to Halt Deportation Efforts

The New York Times reported that Yunseo Chung is a legal permanent resident of Columbia University and a student at the university. She has sued President Donald Trump, and officials in his administration after they attempted to deport Yunseo Chung for taking part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The administration claimed this was because it hindered their antisemitism policy.

The lawsuit stated, “The government’s actions represent an unprecedented and unjustified assault on First Amendment rights and other fundamental rights. It cannot stand up to basic legal scrutiny.”

Chung was arrested by police on March 5 after a protest. She was quickly ticketed and then released. Four days later, however, immigration officials showed up at Chung’s parent’s home. The lawsuit states that around this time, Chung received a message from someone who identified herself as “Audrey the police”.

Chung’s attorney then called the number. A woman answered, claiming to be an ICE agent. She said that the State Department can revoke Chung’s residency and an administrative warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Perry Carbone, a senior lawyer in the federal prosecutor’s office, informed Chung’s lawyers on March 10 that Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, had revoked Chung’s visa. Chung’s attorney, Naz Ahmed, replied that Chung was not on a visa in the U.S. and was a permanent resident.

Carbone responded that Rubio “revoked” this as well.

The Trump administration is purportedly pursuing Chung to suppress a speech he made about Israel’s conflict with the Gaza Strip.

Chung’s attorneys, according to the lawsuit, accused Trump of obtaining warrants “under pretenses” for her detention.

The State Department did not respond at the time of publishing if the English major and gender studies student posed a threat to national security.