Federal Judge Blocks Detention of Columbia Student Over Anti-Israel Protests
A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to detain a Columbia University student, who faced potential deportation after participating in anti-Israel demonstrations earlier this year.
U.S. District Judge Naomi Reis Buchwald issued an interim injunction that prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining 21-year-old Yunzeo Chong, originally from Korea and residing in the U.S. since she was seven. ICE had attempted to arrest her back in March but was unsuccessful.
The court’s decision means that any future attempts by ICE to detain Chong must include notification to her lawyers and the court 72 hours in advance. They will assess if such an action is justified under the First Amendment, and for now, she remains free while her case progresses.
Ramzi Kassem, co-director of Clear, the legal nonprofit representing Chong, commended the ruling. He remarked that it represents a victory for those supporting Yunzeo and advocating for Palestinian rights, as well as for freedom of speech and the law in the country.
This ruling follows a prior order from the same judge, which directed immigration officials to halt their attempts to arrest Chong. The Trump administration has argued that her involvement in the protests could lead to serious diplomatic issues for the U.S.
Background and Legal Actions
Chong’s lawyer has characterized the government’s actions against her as “unfair attacks.” A lawsuit filed by Chong claims that she merely participated in protests alongside many other university students expressing concerns about the situation in Gaza. The suit clarifies that she wasn’t a leader but was there as part of the larger group and did not engage in any significant activism or issue public statements during the protests.
According to court documents, Chong was not arrested or faced any school disciplinary actions in connection with the protests at the Gaza Solidarity camp. However, the lawsuit mentions that she was arrested during a protest at Bernard University in 2025, which underscores the common practice of police arresting protesters in New York City. Usually, such individuals face charges or dismissal of their cases.
The case highlights that, on March 8, ICE officials had signed an administrative warrant for Chong and visited her parents’ home the following day trying to detain her. Allegedly, by March 10, ICE informed Chong’s attorney that her green card had been revoked, suggesting her permanent resident status could be jeopardized due to an alleged violation of immigration law. Subsequently, law enforcement searched her dorm room based on this warrant on March 13.
Chong is notable not just for her activism; she is also a high-achieving student, reportedly finishing her senior year of high school with nearly a perfect GPA and pursuing studies in English and gender studies. Additionally, the Trump administration has sought to deport another former Columbia student, Mahmoud Khalil, who has been accused of playing a major role in the protests against Israel.
