Immigration authorities have been ordered by a federal judge to stop efforts to arrest Columbia University students who worked in Palestinian demonstrations. US District Judge Naomi Buchold issued the restraining order Tuesday, a day after the student filed the lawsuit.
Yoon Zeo Chung, who has been living in the United States since she was seven, sues President Donald Trump and several members of his administration after federal authorities attempted to arrest her and deport her. In the lawsuit, Chung's lawyers say the government's pursuit of Colombian students is a “unfair attack on the First Amendment.”
The lawsuit states that Chong is not a leader but a participant in the anti-Israel protest, “one of a large group of university students, expressing “concerns” about the war in Gaza.” According to the lawsuit, Chong “visited” the Gaza Solidarity camp, a number of tents organized in the heart of the campus, but did not say whether she remained there or not. The lawsuit also reveals that she did not issue an official statement or engage in any prominent activities during the protest.
Palestinian demonstrators raised the flag on the rooftop of Columbia University's Hamilton Hall in New York on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The family of Israeli hostages is Sue Mahmoud Halil of Mahmoud Halil, a Colombian organizer known as the “Hamas” propaganda arm in New York.
Chung's lawsuit says she was never arrested or disciplined in connection with events at the camp. However, she was later arrested during a 2025 protest at Bernard University. The lawsuit argues that police arrest many protesters is common in New York City, and that they are usually charged or rejected.
The lawsuit states that on March 8, ICE officials signed an administrative arrest warrant against Chung and federal law enforcement, and went to Chung's parents' house the following day to arrest her.
According to the lawsuit, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials allegedly told Chang's lawyer on March 10 that her green card had been “revoked.” The government has the power to withdraw the status of a permanent resident if it believes a person is in violation of U.S. immigration law.
Chung's lawyers say in the lawsuit that law enforcement searched Chung's dorm room on March 13, following the warrant.
Columbia University Gaza Camp (left), President Donald Trump (right) (Getty Images)
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“Yunzeo Chong is involved in the conduct, including when he was arrested by the NYPD for pro-Hamas protests at Bernard University. She is being asked to undergo removal procedures under the immigration law,” a senior DHS spokesman told Fox News Digital. “Chon has the opportunity to present her case before an immigration judge.”
Chong is the latest anti-Israel student protester facing a possible deportation.
Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and spouse of a US citizen, was arrested by ICE earlier this month and faced deportation. Halil has been accused of playing a major role in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University.
The Trump administration alleges that Halil did not disclose employment with the UN Relief and Labor Service (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in the Near East. His arrest has sparked protests across New York City, with many saying the Trump administration is violating his right to free speech.
On March 12, 2025, people will demonstrate outside the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Court on the day of hearings on the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City, USA. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
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The Trump administration believes that the actions of Halil and Chan, as well as the actions of other student protesters, are in support of the US and designated terrorist organization Hamas.
“ICE HSI investigates individuals engaged in activities supporting Hamas, a foreign terrorist organisation. Based on the findings, the Department of State may lead to visa revocations that affect decisions from the Department or other actions that affect other actions.
Kitty Le Claire and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
