A Columbia University student, Yunseo Chung, is suing the Trump administration to fight deportation. Chung, a lawful U.S. permanent resident who came from South Korea as a child, claims the government is targeting her for exercising her First Amendment rights.
Her lawsuit argues that federal officials are using immigration enforcement as a way to silence political speech they don’t like. Chung was arrested at a recent protest against Columbia University’s handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Shortly after, ICE agents visited her parents’ home and later informed her attorney that her green card was being revoked.
The lawsuit names President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other officials. It states that immigration laws shouldn’t be used as a weapon against non-citizens expressing political views.
The Department of Homeland Security, however, says Chung was involved in what they call a “pro-Hamas protest” and is now in removal proceedings. Officials have also taken action against other students and academics over alleged ties to pro-Palestinian activism, with some already deported.
Columbia, under federal pressure, has responded by tightening protest policies, hiring more campus police, and cracking down on student activism, which critics argue is a violation of free speech. The Trump administration has also cut $400 million in federal funding to the university, citing concerns over campus safety and antisemitism.
Columbia Junior Takes Legal Stand Against Trump Administration’s Deportation Efforts
