A local New York assemblymember is fighting back after 20-year-old Yeonsoo Go was detained by federal immigration authorities following a routine visa hearing, as reported by FOX 5 NY. Go, a South Korean national and 2024 Scarsdale High School graduate, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (ICE) last Thursday while leaving the New York Immigration court, where she sought to extend her religious visa.
Assemblymember Amy Paulin, representing Westchester, has called the situation "extraordinarily horrible and it's heart wrenching for the family, for those of us who live in the community," and is planning a rally in support of Go's release this Thursday. Despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stating that Go had overstayed her visa by over two years, her attorney maintains the visa is still valid with an expiration set for December, as outlined in a report by Gothamist.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin contends that "Yeonsoo Go, an illegal alien from South Korea, overstayed her visa," and highlighted the current administration's commitment to "restoring integrity to the visa program." Despite this, Go, who was slated to begin her sophomore year at Purdue University's School of Pharmacy in just a few weeks, also has an application pending for a renewal of her visa, Gothamist reported.
The community has rallied around Go, with faith leaders and elected officials demanding her immediate release. Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, emphasized the need "for a New York and a country that respects the dignity of every person," during a protest outside the immigration court. Although Go is reportedly being held at the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana, her supporters, and her family have had difficulties getting in touch with her, fearing she could be moved to another facility without their knowledge, as per report by FOX 5 NY.
