Recently, a Korean-American high school graduate was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a routine visa extension hearing in New York.
Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old Korean-American female who graduated from Scarsdale High School in New York in 2024, was taken into custody after attending a routine hearing on July 31 and is currently being detained.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated in a press release that Yeonsoo Go’s visa had expired over two years ago, leading to her inclusion in the “fast-track deportation process.” The federal government is committed to restoring the integrity of the visa system and preventing its long-term abuse.
According to Amy Paulin, a Democratic State Assemblywoman from the Westchester area, Yeonsoo Go has been in the U.S. on a religious visa for 5 years, with her mother being a pastor. The purpose of her attendance at the hearing was to legally apply for a visa extension.
“She has never done anything wrong, yet she was arrested while holding a valid visa. We do not know why she was arrested, where she is being held, or what her situation is. We just want her to come home,” Paulin told Gothamist. “How terrifying is this experience for such a young child? It’s a heart-wrenching pain for her family and our community.”
Paulin announced that she plans to hold a community rally in Scarsdale on August 7 (Thursday) and has invited other elected officials to join in showing support.
According to federal immigration database statistics cited by Gothamist, Yeonsoo Go is currently detained at Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana.
Murad Awawdeh, the chairman of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), recommended that immigrants facing similar situations with upcoming court appearances contact the hotline of the New York State Office of New Americans at 800-566-7636 to establish a family preparedness plan. If possible, they should consult with a lawyer to apply for an online hearing to minimize risks.