Korean-American Columbia Student Sues Trump Administration to Stop Deportation Over Pro-Palestinian Protests
Yoonsuh Chung, a lawful U.S. resident since childhood, challenges the revocation of her status amid a wider crackdown on student activism supporting Palestinians.
Watan-A court document revealed that a Korean-American student at Columbia University, who holds lawful permanent residency in the United States and participated in pro-Palestinian protests, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration to prevent her deportation.
Yoonsuh Chung, 21, has lived in the United States since she was seven years old, but her legal team was informed two weeks ago that her lawful permanent resident status had been revoked, according to the document filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The lawsuit, filed by Chung on Monday, states that the Trump administration claims her presence in the U.S. hinders the country’s foreign policy plans. Chung has not been arrested yet, but immigration officials have visited her residence several times searching for her.
Trump Targets Foreign Pro-Palestinian Protesters
Trump has vowed to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, accusing them of supporting the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), obstructing U.S. foreign policy, and promoting antisemitism.
The protesters — some of whom are from Jewish groups — argue that the administration is wrongly conflating their criticism of Israel and their support for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and support for Hamas. Human rights advocates have condemned the government’s actions.
Mahmoud Khalil, who participated in Columbia University protests and was arrested this month and is challenging his detention, is also a lawful permanent resident. Trump accused him, without evidence, of supporting Hamas, an accusation Khalil denies.
Students Face Deportation Amid Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Expression
Chung’s lawsuit states that the actions taken against her “are part of a broader pattern of the U.S. government’s attempts to suppress constitutionally protected protest activity and other forms of expression.”
It also says: “The government’s crackdown is particularly focused on university students who publicly express solidarity with Palestinians and criticize the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Chung engaged in “concerning behavior,” including being arrested by police during a protest at Barnard College, which the department described as “pro-Hamas.”
The spokesperson did not provide further details about the alleged behavior but said she is “subject to removal proceedings under immigration law” and will have the opportunity to present her case before an immigration judge.
There are other similar cases. Last week, authorities arrested Badr Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University. A federal judge has blocked his deportation.
On Friday, U.S. officials also asked a Cornell University student named Momodou Tall to turn himself in, according to his lawyers, who said his visa had been revoked.
