Amid ongoing immigration debates and demonstrations, a 20-year-old student, Yeonsoo Go, was taken into custody by ICE following a routine visa hearing. Go, the daughter of an Episcopal priest, had attended the hearing expecting it to be procedural. Although she was granted a new court date for October, ICE agents detained her outside the building after the hearing, according to ABC7NY.
The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese of New York commented on the conditions at 26 Federal Plaza, stating, "Her mother gets regular calls from Yeonsoo and she's staying at 26 Federal Plaza, which, as we know is not actually a facility that has showers or beds or hot food." Heyd further emphasized that these detentions are "not only illegal, but they're immoral," as recounted by ABC7NY. Members of the community have gathered, beating drums and calling for federal action in an effort to have Go released and reunited with her family.
The Korea Herald provided additional details about the case, reporting that Go is a graduate of Scarsdale High School who moved to the United States in March 2021. Her legal status, valid through the end of 2025, was reportedly contested by immigration authorities. The New York Immigration Court granted a continuance, but after leaving the courthouse, Go was taken into custody by ICE, despite the scheduled proceedings.
Go’s boyfriend, Leo Chu, described her emotional state during the incident, telling ABC7NY, "She was with her mother. She was heartbroken. And when she called me at night, later that day, she was breaking down."
Meanwhile, Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, advised residents in similar situations to have family preparedness plans in place. He stated, "I think it's critically important that anyone who needs to go to an immigration court hearing call the New York State Office of New Americans and their hotline," according to ABC7NY.
