NEW YORK — A 20-year-old was detained by ICE simply minutes after a routine visa listening to in New York. On Saturday, the detention sparked extra protests.
Flowers adorned the fence outdoors the Federal Plaza Immigration Court docket as non secular and metropolis leaders got here out to help the family members and supporters of these detained by ICE brokers.
One of many newest detainees — 20-year-old Yeonsoo Go, the daughter of beloved Episcopal priest Kyrie Kim and a graduate of Scarsdale Excessive Faculty in Westchester County, New York. The South Korean native moved to New York in 2021 together with her mom.
A lawyer near the case says Go had an software to increase her present visa, which was set to run out in December.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary on the Division of Homeland Safety, claims as an alternative that Go “overstayed her visa that expired greater than two years in the past” and stated that “ICE arrested her on July 31 and positioned her in expedited elimination proceedings.”
Go’s lawyer stated Go was ordered to look in court docket on Thursday for a procedural listening to on her visa renewal software. The choose gave Go a date to return to court docket in October, however when she left the constructing, ICE brokers have been ready to arrest her.
“She was together with her mom. She was heartbroken. And when she known as me at night time, later that day, she was breaking down,” stated Go’s boyfriend, Leo Chu.
Go spoke to her boyfriend and her associates earlier than the listening to.
“She has been a bit nervous given the local weather. Now, her fears have come true,” added her good friend, Gabriella Lopez.
“Her mom will get common calls from Yeonsoo and she or he’s staying at 26 Federal Plaza, which, as we all know, isn’t really a facility that has showers or beds or scorching meals. And so the detentions right here usually are not solely unlawful, however they’re immoral,” stated Rev. Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
The Immigration Coalition stated that these incidents are rising in frequency and is providing recommendation to people with upcoming hearings.
“I believe it is critically essential that anybody who must go to an immigration court docket listening to name the New York State Workplace of New Individuals and their hotline” stated New York Immigration Coalition President and CEO Murad Awawdeh.
It’s also essential to ensure you create a household preparedness plan and, if attainable, work with a lawyer to arrange a digital listening to.
Within the meantime, group members hope their calls for for Go’s launch are heard.
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