South Korean Student Released After ICE Detention Sparks Outcry

Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old South Korean student at Purdue University, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a routine visa hearing in New York, sparking widespread outrage from community members, faith leaders, and lawmakers. Although Go's family and supporters insist her visa is valid until December 2025 and she has complied with all legal procedures, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed she overstayed a visa that expired over two years ago, placing her under expedited removal proceedings. After five days in custody, including a transfer to a detention center in Louisiana, Go was released with an ankle monitor, thanks in part to public outcry and legal advocacy. The incident reflects a broader shift in DHS policy that permits ICE arrests at or near courthouses and has led to numerous detentions during immigration proceedings, prompting lawsuits against the Trump administration's enforcement tactics. Critics argue these policies have catastrophic impacts on immigrant communities, especially those legally present, while DHS officials defend the approach as part of a strategy to deport individuals unlawfully present in the country. Go's case underscores tensions surrounding the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown, which includes detaining individuals even when their legal status is contested.