Columbia student sues Trump admin over efforts to deport her

[u/TheJungLife]

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5211593-columbia-student-trump-deportation-ice-khalil/

FTA:

Columbia University student Yunseo Chung is suing the Trump administration amid its efforts to deport the 21-year-old, who has been in the U.S. since she was 7 and has lawful permanent resident status.

A lawsuit was filed Monday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) got an administrative warrant for Chung’s arrest and told the South Korean native that her status was being “revoked,” even though only an immigration judge can take away a green card.

[u/baamonster]

Isn’t protesting considered freedom of speech?

[u/Sad-Bowl-1212 → u/baamonster]

supposedly. however this admin is (illegally and laughably) claiming that participation in pro-Palestine protests is equivalent to monetarily or otherwise substantively supporting a terrorist group, which is grounds for revocation of a green card. green cards are supposed to only be revocable by the order of an immigration judge, but this admin is pretty openly doing illegal shit in order to advance their agenda.

[u/Yourmotherssonsfatha → u/Sad-Bowl-1212]

It’s still regarded as protected speech even if you’re sympathizing with designated groups unless you’re directly doing call to action.

And even if it were grounds for deportation, the bigger issues are they’re blatantly ignoring the due process guaranteed by the constitution - this is the only thing that truly differentiates some place like Russia and the US.

Their original argument doesn’t even stand up and only setting precedent for citizens. I’m legitimately surprised more people aren’t up in arms about this.

[u/Odd_Beginning536 → u/Yourmotherssonsfatha]

I don’t think much of the public is aware of this particular situation- I just read an article abt it in the Times and was shocked. And so disappointed in this ridiculous witch hunt. The other student they went after escaped to Canada thank goodness. The poor student must be terrified. This is bs- they are just targeting whoever they can that has spoken in opposition to this admins views. She does have rights and should be protected under the constitution.

It was actually a smart move to hire a lawyer to preemptively counter the doj and bring attention to this bc otherwise we would not of found out about it until she was detained. This is disgraceful. Universities are known for protests. This young woman has worked so hard and has so much potential and she’s hiding from our governments department of justice. Tells you how screwed up things are in the US. It’s frightening to think what we could lose and some don’t realize this. Hegseth (head of dept of defense) revealed highly confidential war plans over a publicly used app through a group chat. Not kidding. Yes, actual military intelligence and strikes that were to happen were sent out by accident to a journalist, which could have compromised our soldiers lives.

So yeah, this is all bs and this poor student is a threat against our nation. Uh look at the cabinet members ‘leading’ the country- they are a threat by lack of credentials and competency. I wish they would leave our students alone.

[u/Noblesseux → u/Odd_Beginning536]

I don’t think much of the public is aware of this particular situation-

They definitely aren't. I just had a conversation with a guy the other day who is an aussie guy who is applying for a visa to move to the US to work in the tech sector and the dude genuinely had no idea why I was like "yeah that might not be the best idea at this specific moment".

A lot of people have genuinely 0 understanding of the fact that the current admin is like openly hostile to immigrants regardless of status, and is just as likely to straight up throw you in a detention center for basically no reason as it is to let you live your life.

[u/Tehshower → u/Sad-Bowl-1212]

A new federal lawsuit alleges that leaders of pro-Palestine student groups at Columbia University had advance knowledge of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and responded in real time with a coordinated propaganda campaign designed to support and amplify the terror group's message on U.S. soil.

At the center of the claims is an alleged protest toolkit that began circulating on October 8—one day after the Hamas attack—which plaintiffs argue must have been prepared beforehand.

Looks like this is their justification for deportation? I'm a little skeptical on what her involvement was in this case. It looks like she just participated in the sit-in...
https://www.newsweek.com/columbia-activists-had-prior-knowledge-oct-7-bombshell-lawsuit-claims-2050296

[u/Sad-Bowl-1212 → u/Tehshower]

crazy, considering that Netanyahu also allegedly had advance knowledge of the October 7 attack. as well as the fact that protest toolkits centered on the topic of Gaza have been distributed since as long back as i can remember, and i was born in '97. wouldn't take much preparation to throw one together given the several atrocities Israel has committed in Gaza that have also led to their own protests.

[u/jisookenobi2416 → u/Sad-Bowl-1212]

Exactly…and even when the courts step in the admin ignores them anyway. What happened to rule of law in this country…

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/baamonster]

Yes as long as you don't violate laws. She got arrested though which opens up a line of attack

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/Charlesinrichmond]

Was she tried and convicted? If not, then being arrested cannot be grounds to take a visa because the arrest could be fake.

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/MoonBatsRule]

not actually true. The grounds for revoking a visa are very broad if you look at the case law. Arguably over broad

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/Charlesinrichmond]

Fair point - and likely surprising to most people in this country, even those on a visa. However it is clearly constitutionally invalid, and sets up a horrendous situation - either the whole of the constitution applies to people legally here on a visa, or none of it does, which means on a minor level that people can be deported for their ethnicity or sexual orientation, or on a major level they can be arrested and enslaved.

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/MoonBatsRule]

so yes, I disagree with these interpretations of the law/constitution by the courts and find search and seizure by border patrol even worse... People would be shocked at what they can do to American citizens

But most people have no clue - look at all the posters here disagreeing

The case law has clearly held at all of the constitution does not apply to people here on visas. to a worrying extent honestly.

525 U.S. 471 (1999) RENO, ATTORNEY GENERAL, et al. v. AMERICANARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE et al.

[u/iama_creep_ama → u/Charlesinrichmond]

> The grounds for revoking a visa are very broad

Not in this case - she's not here on a visa, she's a U.S. permanent resident on a valid green card. Green card is not a temporary visa, it specifically denotes **permanent** residency and denotes government granted status as a U.S. national - which is a lot closer in legal status to being a citizen than holding a visa. Green card permanent residency carries with it all the same rights and privileges as U.S. citizenship except for voting and jury duty, and an expectation of "good moral character," which is meticulously defined - the specifics can be found on the USCIS website and there's really never been any controversy or disagreement, congress and the immigration agencies hammered this out decades ago and added to it regularly with no resistance or controversy ever, I'll simplify it in a few bullet points

**Green Card status is permanent and can only be revoked by an immigration judge as a part of a removal hearing.**

**Green card permanent residents are treated the same as U.S. citizens in the criminal justice system.**

**Green card permanent residents have to break very specific laws to be placed in removal proceedings.** These are referred to in relevant legislation as "**Crimes involving moral turpitude**," which are clearly defined along with any accompanying to become deportable offenses.

The tl;dr is that green card permanent residents can only be deported for felony convictions, domestic violence (ie restraining orders), and drug addictions/charges potentially without conviction, or abandoning their status by living in another country. Green card permanent residents aren't "applying for admission" when entering the U.S.A. like visitors and visa holders, an thereby cannot be denied entry at the border - same as U.S. citizens, even if removable due to one of the above violations. The due process for dealing with green card permanent resident removal proceedings is firmly established, to the point that successful deportation of a green card permanent resident on these grounds such as these would be absolutely unprecedented.

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/iama_creep_ama]

typical redditor strongly felt nonsense. Where did you go to law school?

speaking as someone who went to law school, no you are wrong in so many ways. Starting with not realizing a green card is a flavor of visa. (granted, an immaterial quibble about which there is semantic debate So I suppose I shouldn't jump on that) Dumb response. Read the case law, especially the Nazi and communist cases.

see also 525 U.S. 471 (1999) RENO, ATTORNEY GENERAL, et al. v. AMERICANARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE et al.

[u/iama_creep_ama → u/Charlesinrichmond]

Where did you go to law school?

Vanderbilt University, but that's irrelevant and my point stands: LPR is a legal status distinct from any class of visa, green card can only be revoked by a judge, ICE does not have the authority to deport LPRs, period. There is no ambiguity here, bud.

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/iama_creep_ama]

I went to UVA law. I guess that's why the rankings are how they are. I agree with you on due process of course now take a look at the case law on what happens before a judge. You are not responding to my point you are going off on a different point which makes your argument look better but it doesn't work

[u/Emergency-Composer85 → u/baamonster]

Not if you go against the president's wishes, comrade.

[u/rTpure → u/baamonster]

free speech only applies if the speech aligns with the geopolitical interests of the government

[u/MiseryChasesMe → u/rTpure]

It’s not free speech when people trespass and vandalize private property then intimidate other people with threats of violence such as telling the other people to “die” with big red letters on protest pickets.

The law in the US is drawn on what’s protected and what isn’t. The person in the article was stupid and eating the consequences.

[u/eastgaston → u/MiseryChasesMe]

The law in the US is drawn on what’s protected and what isn’t. The person in the article was stupid and eating the consequences.

Ah yes, if only she's a capitol hill trump supporter, she would've been pardoned.

[u/MiseryChasesMe → u/eastgaston]

shut up with this stupid apologist narrative, you shouldn’t have any rights to trespass on university property OR storm the US capitol building as a non-citizen, then not expect to be deported or imprisoned.

[u/eastgaston → u/MiseryChasesMe]

normally the deportation process is already so clogged that ICE would prioritize going after many other more dangerous criminals than a university protestor, especially since she's legal permenant resident instead of illegals.

[u/MiseryChasesMe → u/eastgaston]

She didn’t consider her own precarious legal situation seriously enough and she choose to protest while painting a huge target on her ass.

I see this as stupid people making stupid decision. This is as stupid as the insane hypothetical situation where if I was applying for Korean citizenship and I started protesting for doctors(over the quota increase, holy shit just looked up that they are still on strike) in Korean hospitals, shutting down janitorial rooms.

The conservatives in Korea would put me in jail for decades, the liberals would serve my ass on a shitty plane ride back to the States(assuming I didn’t renounce my citizenship yet). Every Korean would be against me outside some protesting doctors.

[u/eastgaston → u/MiseryChasesMe]

well she majors in women studies, so good chance she wants to be an activist and now she gets plenty of attention. There's still a decent chance she wouldn't get deported, and even if she does, there are enough feminists in korea to welcome her.

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/MiseryChasesMe]

This isn't stupid. America is known for free speech. At least, it used to be. We are now living in a "if you say the wrong words, the government will punish you" era. Are you happy about that? Do you want the government auditing you because of what you say about it, or firing you from your job, or pressuring your employer to fire you from your job? Do you want to live under that regime? I don't.

[u/junulee → u/baamonster]

The only way this could be viewed as illegal is if she was committing other crimes (e.g., vandalism, physically assaulting others, etc.). Free speech allows anyone to have any opinion of their choosing, but doesn’t give one license to commit crimes.

Just to be clear, I’m not implying any crimes were committed here. Just saying that’s the only valid argument I can imagine that would justify her arrest.

[u/OvulatingScrotum → u/baamonster]

The “tricky” part is that the constitution is not very specific about citizenship when it comes who it’s for. While it was interpreted (most likely with court cases) to protect everyone, but court cases can easily be overturned, and things like this stop if and only if someone files a lawsuit and somehow win.

So it’s not a simple answer anymore

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/OvulatingScrotum]

It is actually very specific in that it uses "persons" versus "citizens". "Persons" means "all persons". That is very clear, and has always been understood.

[u/baamonster → u/[deleted]]

There’s a reason why the Americans call their country “land of the free.” It’s insane how you’re comparing a totalitarian communist country to the USA.

[u/Eastern-Draw-1843 → u/[deleted]]

Were the sit-ins during the Civil Rights movements also “violent and illegal”? Because this sit-in was about as “violent” as those.

[u/Eastern-Draw-1843 → u/[deleted]]

You made literally all of that up. Yes, they were masked and yes, they were pretty disruptive. But who was injured? What property was destroyed? What antisemitism occurred? And is the flag of Palestine a “terrorists organization flag”?

Source: https://www.thebarnardbulletin.com/post/cuad-launches-sit-in-at-barnard-s-milstein-library-declares-building-the-dr-hussam-abu-safiya-lib

[u/Eastern-Draw-1843 → u/[deleted]]

Article is paywalled :(

[u/hyeyoothere → u/[deleted]]

omggggg. nooo way. a multimillion university property was destroyed :(((( can they ever recover this. what are going to do?!??!!

[u/mongolnlloyd → u/[deleted]]

Yes- I highly doubt she is just an innocent student at the wrong place and wrong time. She has done something - we don’t know anything other than what liberal media is saying. I’ll wait for all the facts to come out. Wasting got a ton of downvotes

[u/eastgaston → u/mongolnlloyd]

The foxnews article doesnt have new information either.

[u/nowaisenpai → u/[deleted]]

In America, the right to protest and gather is protected by the constitution's first amendment. The Government legally cannot take action against the student, immigration status regardless. But she's been in the US since she was 7. She's spent 2/3 of her life in the US. She's naturalized American. This is just Trump's racism at work.

[u/Charlesinrichmond → u/nowaisenpai]

She isn't naturalized American That's the whole reason Trump can do this.

[u/haneulk7789 → u/[deleted]]

Being pro-Palestine and being pro-Hamas are two different things. I'm American, and between the Israeli govt and Hamas i'm not sure which is worse.

Between Israel and Palestine, Israel is in the wrong.

[u/haneulk7789 → u/[deleted]]

You didnt even bother to read my comment lol. Bot?

[u/yunnybun]

What the f... This is why we need to speak up for other foreigners. It will be us soon. First it was the illegal immigrants. Then legal brown immigrants. Soon will be naturalized citizens. Get ready to carry your US passport everywhere.

[u/Odd_Beginning536 → u/yunnybun]

I read they are trying to denaturalize a citizen. The fact we have heard anything about it with our media means there is more than one- it’s like a cockroach with this admin. You see one but know there is so much else we don’t see yet. I agree with your statement. If allowed, they will send anyone away that doesn’t agree with ideology.

It’s not reassuring when the US attorney general has no moral code but to support Trump, and has said if you don’t like it leave. That’s not divisive at all right? It’s a sad day when I read talk shows like the view saying we should all be worried regardless of citizenship, next time it could be you. I truly hope things go better in Korea, we should be a warning to all that dismisses the law.

[u/new-freckle → u/Odd_Beginning536]

can you link anything about this? my bf is naturalized us citizen and i'm getting really worried for him and his siblings :(

[u/Odd_Beginning536 → u/new-freckle]

I don’t want you to worry. I have read one case where they are fighting this. This is where he stood on the issue. I’ll link an article but I don’t want you to think this will happen to your boyfriend. I worry how it can impact people going forward. I don’t want to include more than this bc what he wants doesn’t mean it will happen. It must be stopped and many judges have ruled against him. general article

I included a general link.

[u/WickardMochi]

“WE’RE ONLY DEPORTING CRIMINALS!”

Dumb af administration and anyone who believes that is dumber than a rotting corpse

[u/GhostEagle68 → u/WickardMochi]

I fully believe maga people have been rounded up and brainwashed at some point.

[u/punck1 → u/WickardMochi]

The sad thing is, I’ve seen MAGA say ‘well if they break their visa they are criminals’ but they are seemingly changing the requirements everyday? They ARE only deporting criminals but the definition of criminal is getting wider everyday

[u/CapOdd4021]

What an absolute basket case of a country

[u/NayutaGG]

'Just the illegals', he said.

Just illegal migrants who don't have their visas.

And now they're banishing green card holders. I've seen countless conservatives argue that the GOP was only against "illegal" migration and not migration in general. Figures.

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[u/InternationalTea3417]

Yesterday it was the illegal immigrant, today it’s the legal one. Tomorrow it will be naturalized citizens. Then it will be US born citizens to immigrant parents. This litmus test is dangerous. Setting up a frightening precedent.

[u/Fine-Cucumber8589]

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

[u/GhostEagle68]

You're not a true American patriot if you support anything or anyone related to Trump.

[u/daehanmindecline]

While this is a serious violation, on the other hand, maybe more people should be looking to leave the US, like rats abandoning a sinking ship.

[u/MannerSubstantial810 → u/daehanmindecline]

Why are you being downvoted? People, stop sending your kids to college in that shithole. Stop glamorizing their media, their sports, their way of life. If anything, Europe should be the golden standard. Or their neighbor, Canada.

[u/ImmaculateCherry]

Lmao, aren’t foreigners forbidden in Korea to protest? Imagine if it was Filipinos and Thais protesting in Korea for unfair treatment and work wages, the Korean netizens would demand they be deported for flying their foreign flags and protesting. This is just hypocrisy, most of these protestors shouldn’t be deported, but be called out by the university only ban their foreign politics in the university but again this is only considered good if it’s done in America. A lot of hypocrisy here. 

[u/ezosresyek → u/[deleted]]

Except Article 17 of the Immgration Act has never been invoked to deport so-called alien protesters. If it was, JK김동욱 would be among the most recent deportees. 

Plus, this isn’t even the same ballgame chief. How common is the notion of a permanent resident who has lived in Korea since they were seven years old? How common is it in the United States? To equivocate her circumstances with a theoretical one with no precedent is disingenuous at best. 

[u/Mundane_Molasses6850 → u/[deleted]]

Even if what you say about South Korean law is true (I'd like to see evidence), why do you think it should be the same in the USA?

Yunseo Chung's opposition to the genocide in Gaza appears to be morally correct and demonstrates that she is a morally upstanding person with a conscience.

I'm an American and we could use more people like her in this country.

US support for Israel is immoral:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Global_News_Hub/comments/1ij11wd/comment/mbcyfk3/

Now if Chung has extremist views, I don't agree with her on them. But most of the pro-Palestinian protestors are asking Americans to wake up and stop supporting the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Gaza. That's a good thing that all Americans should get behind.

[u/Entitled_Morons1000]

Who is worse? Yoon seok yeol or Trump? Yoon is the bigger douschebag in my opinion.

[u/NayutaGG → u/Entitled_Morons1000]

Both are of equal intelligence, imo

[u/Bubbly_Chemist1496]

Her korean immigrant parents who probably worked hard raising their daughter and paying her tuition hoping she would work at Goldman Sachs or become a lawyer to repay her parents. Protesting in a pro hamas rally ( showing u hate America 🇺🇸 cuz u supporting an enemy is not a way to repay her parents 🙄 just very poor judgement I'm sorry to say. And good luck suing trump admin.

[u/MoonBatsRule → u/Bubbly_Chemist1496]

Yes, she should have become a Republican, then she would enjoy a safe life. Anything else deserves to be punished.