Columbia student sues to prevent deportation after ICE targets her for pro-Palestinian activism – The Times of India

A Columbia University student is suing the Trump administration after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted her for deportation due to her participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Yunseo Chung, a legal permanent resident who moved to the U.S. from South Korea at the age of 7, is seeking to block her removal from the country, arguing that the government’s actions violate her constitutional rights.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on March 23, 2025, marks a significant legal challenge to the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive stance on immigration enforcement. Chung, a 21-year-old junior majoring in English and gender studies, has lived in the U.S. for most of her life and is a high-achieving student. However, her involvement in demonstrations supporting Palestinian rights has put her at odds with federal authorities, who are now attempting to deport her.
Immigration officials’ pursuit of Chung
ICE agents have been actively pursuing Chung, conducting multiple searches and visits to residences in an effort to arrest her. As reported by The New York Times, officials even searched two Columbia University residences with warrants citing a criminal law known as the harboring statute. This law targets individuals who provide shelter to people unlawfully in the U.S., suggesting that the searches may be part of a broader investigation into the university itself. According to Chung’s legal team, these actions demonstrate ICE’s prioritization of her case, despite her legal permanent resident status.
The Trump administration’s argument for Chung’s deportation is tied to her involvement in pro-Palestinian protests, which it claims conflicts with the U.S. foreign policy agenda, particularly regarding the administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism. As The New York Times reports, the administration has been targeting students who participate in such demonstrations, even if they have legal status in the country.
Legal battle over free speech and activism
Chung’s legal team, represented by the City University of New York’s CLEAR clinic, has asked a federal judge to block ICE from taking action against her. They argue that the administration’s attempt to deport her over her political speech is unconstitutional. In the lawsuit, Chung’s lawyers call the government’s actions “McCarthyism” and emphasize that her participation in protests is protected under the First Amendment.
One of her attorneys, Naz Ahmad, stated, “It can’t be the case that a straight-A student who has lived here most of her life can be whisked away and potentially deported, all because she dares to speak up,” as quoted by The New York Times.
The case has sparked national attention, raising concerns about the limits of free speech in U.S. universities and the government’s increasing targeting of immigrant students engaged in political activism.