Washington, March 25 (H.S.): A 21-year-old student named Yunseo Chung has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to detain her for deportation due to her participation in pro-Palestinian protests, alleging political retaliation. Chung, a permanent resident who immigrated from South Korea at seven, is a junior at Columbia University and has engaged with the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review and held legal internships. Her legal team argues she, along with other non-citizens, is being targeted for supporting Palestinian rights, a practice they claim is enforced through State Department and Department of Homeland Security policies.

The lawsuit reveals that Chung faced disciplinary action for her involvement in campus protests against Israel's actions and was arrested during a protest against her university's punitive measures on March 5. Following her arrest, Chung was banned from campus, and her permanent resident status is reportedly being rescinded, as communicated to her lawyer by federal officials.

The lawsuit identifies several high-ranking Trump administration officials as defendants, including Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others.

A representative from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that Chung is subject to removal proceedings, but she will have the opportunity to present her case before an immigration judge.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar