ICE Detains South Korean Student After NYC Visa Hearing, Sparks Protests

Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old South Korean student at Purdue University and Scarsdale High School graduate, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately following a routine visa hearing in New York, despite having a pending visa extension application and a court date set for October. ICE claims Go overstayed her visa, which they say expired over two years ago, placing her in expedited removal proceedings, a position disputed by her family and supporters who argue her legal status remains valid through 2025. Her detention sparked widespread protests and drew condemnation from religious leaders, immigrant advocates, and local officials, highlighting concerns over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that affect non-violent students and international scholars. Go's mother, Rev. Kyrie Kim, an Episcopal priest, and community members have called for her release, emphasizing that many other detainees lack similar support. Go was held in a facility at 26 Federal Plaza, which has been criticized for inadequate conditions. After significant public pressure and rallies, Yeonsoo Go was released and returned home to Scarsdale, though her case continues to raise broader issues about immigration policy and enforcement practices.