Columbia student sues Trump administration to block deportation

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, March 25th, 2025

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NEW YORK, March 25 – Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to prevent her deportation. Chung, who moved to the US from South Korea at the age of seven and is a legal permanent resident, claims that immigration authorities have targeted her for participating in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
Chung’s legal team argues that her First Amendment rights have been violated, as the actions against her are based on her involvement in political activism. The lawsuit highlights the administration’s recent detention of pro-Palestinian activists, including Mahmoud Khalil, who had a key role in mediating between university officials and protestors. While Chung did not take a leadership position, she participated in a sit-in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza in March 2025.
The lawsuit also alleges that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials executed search warrants at multiple Columbia University facilities, including Chung’s dormitory. Officials are reportedly investigating her for “concerning conduct,” including her arrest during a protest at Barnard College related to student expulsions stemming from similar pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Chung’s case is part of a broader pattern, with other students like Momodou Taal from Cornell University and Ranjani Srinivasan from Columbia also facing deportation. Chung’s legal team argues that the Trump administration is targeting students involved in Palestinian rights protests as a form of retaliation for their political speech.
The Trump administration has invoked the Immigration and Nationality Act to justify the deportations, citing the potential threat to U.S. foreign policy.