ICE Detains South Korean Student After Visa Hearing in NYC, Prompting Protests and Outcry

When 20-year-old Yeonsoo Go walked out of a routine visa hearing in Manhattan on July 31, she didn’t expect to be met by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. What began as a standard check-in over her visa extension swiftly turned into a heart-wrenching ordeal for the Purdue University student—and a national controversy igniting public outrage.

Go, a South Korean native and recent graduate of Scarsdale High School in Westchester County, has lived in the United States since 2021. The daughter of beloved Episcopal priest Kyrie Kim, Yeonsoo was pursuing higher education in Indiana. Her quiet academic life was upended when ICE arrested her outside the Federal Plaza Immigration Court in New York, even though the judge had just assigned her a court return date in October.

According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security, Go had “overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago,” which placed her into expedited removal proceedings. Despite a pending application for extension filed late last year, ICE proceeded with the arrest, citing standard enforcement policies.

Why was the South Korean student detained by ICE?

ICE claims Yeonsoo Go’s student visa had expired, making her unlawfully present in the U.S. The arrest came during what was expected to be a routine procedural hearing. Although her attorney noted that she had applied for a visa renewal and was complying with court directives, ICE’s pre-scheduled intervention indicates a growing trend in aggressive enforcement tactics.

This incident is stirring renewed debate around immigration policy—especially regarding young, non-violent students and international scholars. Activists argue that such detentions undermine trust in the immigration process and discourage transparency among those trying to regularize their status legally.

What is the public reaction to Yeonsoo Go’s detention?

Within hours of her detention, local community leaders, faith-based groups, and immigrant rights activists gathered outside the Federal Plaza courthouse. Supporters left flowers and handwritten signs reading “Let Her Stay” and “Students Aren’t Criminals.”

Leo Chu, Yeonsoo’s boyfriend, shared that she was “heartbroken” and emotionally devastated. “When she called me that night, she couldn’t stop crying. She didn’t do anything wrong. She followed the process,” he said.

Even Go herself had expressed anxiety to close friends in the days leading up to the hearing. The climate around immigration enforcement—particularly during and after the Trump administration—has left many international students living in fear.

Who is Yeonsoo Go and why is her case important?

Yeonsoo Go is a Purdue University student who came to the U.S. with her mother in 2021. She is known for her academic commitment, quiet demeanor, and active participation in community volunteering through her church. Her story represents thousands of students navigating the American immigration system under precarious conditions.

This case stands out not just because of her background, but due to the sheer incongruity between her profile and the enforcement action. Advocates argue it exemplifies the risks of indiscriminate application of immigration laws without nuanced consideration.

What’s next for Yeonsoo Go?

As of now, Yeonsoo Go is undergoing expedited removal proceedings. Her legal team is preparing a challenge, and support continues to mount from community members, university peers, and faith-based organizations. Whether or not she can remain in the U.S. may depend on the outcome of legal motions and potential interventions from lawmakers.

Public petitions calling for her release are gaining momentum, and pressure is mounting on ICE to provide transparency around discretionary decisions. The issue continues to evolve, and her case could become a defining moment in student immigration policy debates.

The detention of the South Korean student by ICE has opened up national dialogue not just about policy, but about the human stories behind every immigration case.

You Must Know:

Why did ICE arrest Yeonsoo Go?
ICE arrested Go for overstaying her visa, even though she had filed for an extension and was attending her scheduled hearing.

What is expedited removal?
Expedited removal is a fast-track deportation process applied to individuals without legal status who have recently entered or overstayed.

Was Yeonsoo Go a criminal?
No. She is a student with no criminal record. Her detention relates solely to an immigration status violation.

Can international students be detained by ICE?
Yes, if their visas expire and they are deemed unlawfully present, ICE has authority to detain them—even during legal proceedings.

What’s the role of DHS in immigration enforcement?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees ICE and sets enforcement priorities, including decisions on arrests and removals.