Tue Mar 25 07:15:51 UTC 2025: ## Columbia University Student Faces Deportation Over Pro-Palestinian Activism

**New York, NY** – A 21-year-old Columbia University student, Yunseo Chung, is fighting deportation after being targeted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following her participation in pro-Palestinian protests. Chung, a permanent US resident who immigrated from South Korea at age seven, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration, alleging that her arrest and subsequent deportation order are part of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.

ICE initiated deportation proceedings against Chung following her arrest on March 5th during a protest against disciplinary actions taken by the university against student demonstrators. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Chung was arrested for “engaging in concerning conduct” during a protest described as “pro-Hamas,” and faces removal proceedings. Despite multiple attempts, ICE has yet to detain Chung.

Chung’s lawsuit argues that ICE’s actions represent an attack on constitutionally protected free speech. The suit cites similar cases involving other students, including Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who had his green card revoked after participating in protests, and Cornell University student Momodou Taal, who also received a deportation notice. Other instances mentioned include the detention of Georgetown University student Badar Khan Suri (though a judge has blocked his deportation) and the denial of entry to a Brown University professor.

The lawsuit seeks to prevent Chung’s detention, removal from New York City, or deportation while the case is pending. A successful outcome could have broader implications, potentially blocking deportation efforts against other non-citizens involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests. The lawsuit highlights President Trump’s past pronouncements threatening to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, accusations that have been rejected by protest organizers and rights advocates as violating free speech rights. The legal battle is expected to be closely watched as a test of the administration’s policies and the extent of free speech protections afforded to non-citizen students.

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