Priest's Daughter Told a Friend She Was Nervous Before ‘Routine' Visa Hearing. Then She Was Detained by ICE for 5 Days
A 20-year-old college student and priest's daughter was detained by immigrant officials following a visa hearing on July 31
Four days later, she was released on her own recognizance after the religious community rallied around her
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed that she "overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago," but an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York denies that, saying her visa was valid through the end of the yearA college student — and daughter of an Episcopal priest — was detained after a standard visa hearing in New York City. Days later, she was reunited with her mom after she was brought back to Manhattan from a Louisiana detention center.
'Everything just feels surreal,' Yeonsoo Go, 20, said after she was allowed to leave Federal Plaza Immigration Court with her mother, Rev. Kyrie Kim, on the evening of Monday, Aug. 4, CW affiliate WPIX reported.
'I always had faith that I would be out soon,' she added, according to CNN affiliate WCBS.
Before her arrest, the Purdue University student — who moved to the United States from South Korea with her mom back in 2021 — told a friend she was nervous because of the wave of detainments under the Trump administration, the outlet reported.
Then, on Thursday, July 31, Go's fears became reality.
Mary Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese in New York, where Go's mother is a priest, told CNN that the hearing was part of the process to convert her religious worker's dependent visa, known as a R-2 visa, to a student visa. In a separate interview with NBC News, Marissa Joseph, identified as Go's attorney, said the student was renewing her visa because her mother had changed employers.
On July 31, Go was told she was due back in court in October, but when she and her mother exited the courthouse, ICE agents were waiting for the young woman, ABC affiliate WABC, FOX affiliate WNYW and CNN reported.
'They thought they had come for a routine hearing, for due process, and they really fell into a black hole of unknown,' Davis told CNN affiliate WCBS, adding that Go was 'absolutely terrified.'
Neither attorney immediately responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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In a statement obtained by PEOPLE before her release, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed that Go had "overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago."
However, lawyers for the Episcopal Diocese of New York have denied this, saying that her visa wasn't set to expire until December.
'We have no idea why they are alleging this, because we have a piece of paper that says she has a visa till December 2025,' Davis told NBC News. 'This is what lack of due process does. We have evidence on our side. They're making allegations. We are not being given the opportunity to sort it out.'
DHS and ICE did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's questions about Go's release.
Go's case is one of a number making headlines since President Trump returned to the White House and began cracking down on immigration.
While Trump's successful campaign was centered on a law enforcement message to 'seal' the southern border and remove millions of migrants in the country illegally — with a focus on dangerous people and people with criminal backgrounds — some of the deportations have stirred debate.
The local religious community was 'heartbroken' by Go's detainment, Rev. Anne Marie Witchger, a priest of St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery and a colleague of Rev. Kim, tells PEOPLE.
'Soo came to this country legally and is lawfully here,' says Rev. Witchger, adding that both Go, who is gearing up her second year at Purdue University, and her mom are 'important members of the community.'
Following the 20-year-old student's arrest, the religious community rallied around her, and a GoFundMe has been created to help with legal fees.
"We call for the end of weaponization in our courts," Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, said while advocating for her release over the weekend, according to WNYW. "We stand up for a New York and a country that respects the dignity of every person."
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Following Go's release, New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin released a statement of support.
'The pain, fear, and uncertainty she and her family endured over the past five days should never have happened,' Paulin wrote. 'But tonight we celebrate her freedom and the strength of a community that refused to stay silent.'
Lawyers told WABC that the student's case is ongoing and they are cooperating with government officials.
As Davis told CNN, 'We've worked very hard for our voices to be heard and to lift her up, and to convey the message that Soo does not deserve to be in detention and…it's been heard.'
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