Purdue Student Released After Five Days ICE Detention

Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old South Korean student at Purdue University and daughter of an Episcopal priest, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after attending what was expected to be a routine visa hearing in Manhattan. Despite her attorney's assertion that her visa was valid through the end of the year, ICE claimed her visa had expired over two years ago, leading to her arrest and transfer to a detention facility in Louisiana. The detention sparked widespread protests and condemnation from faith communities, civil rights groups, and Korean American organizations, with many highlighting the harsh treatment of detainees. After five days in custody, Go was released and reunited with her mother at the same federal courthouse where she was detained. Advocates stressed that Go's case is not unique, pointing to numerous others detained despite legal status, and friends expressed relief and support as she prepared to return to school. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement under the current administration and the impact on immigrant communities.