South Korean Student at Purdue University, Soo Go, Released from Federal Immigration Detention After Outpouring of Support

A 20-year-old South Korean student, Soo Go, daughter of a revered Episcopal priest, was released from federal immigration detention on Monday following her arrest last week that sparked outrage and support from religious leaders.

Soo Go, known affectionately as “Soo” to friends and family, spent five days in custody after her arrest at a routine visa hearing in Manhattan on Thursday. Agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were involved in the arrest.

Upon her release, Soo expressed relief and concern for everyone supporting her, stating, “I just wish for everyone to be safe. My family, everyone that supports me to be safe.”

Soo was discharged on her own recognizance – meaning she did not have to post bail – after being returned to Manhattan from Louisiana, where she had been held in an ICE detention facility since Saturday. Mary Rothwell Davis, attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, confirmed the release.

Davis praised the efforts made to draw attention to Soo’s case and expressed relief, stating, “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.”

Soo’s visa hearing aimed at converting her R-2 visa, a religious worker’s dependent visa, into a student visa. She arrived in the US with her mother, Reverend Kyrie Kim, in 2021.

Lawyers for the Episcopal Diocese of New York disputed claims from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that Soo had overstayed her visa, stating her current visa does not expire until December.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, confirmed that Go’s visa “expired more than two years ago,” but did not specify why she was being released. Ashley Gonzalez-Grissom, another lawyer for the Episcopal Diocese in New York, could not provide details regarding Soo’s release either.

Soo’s immigration case remains ongoing, with federal authorities still involved. The DHS and ICE have been contacted for additional information regarding her release.

Before Thursday’s hearing, Soo expressed anxiety to a friend due to the ongoing headlines about the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement. Her fears materialized when she was arrested following the hearing, with ICE agents present upon her departure.

For several days, church communities in New York and South Korea demonstrated their support for Soo through protests and social media campaigns. On Saturday, supporters from the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Interfaith Center of New York, and the New York Immigration Coalition called for her release during a gathering at Manhattan’s Federal Plaza.

Friends spoke about Soo’s positive influence on those around her, with one friend mentioning their shared efforts to prepare meals for the homeless together. Supporters continued to rally for Soo’s release as they learned she was being transported to a detention facility in Louisiana at the same time.

Soo’s father expressed gratitude after her release, citing the outpouring of support from those who came together in solidarity and advocacy for his daughter. Go’s hard work in high school in Scarsdale, New York, helped her secure a place at Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, and her family hoped for a promising future following her successful completion of her freshman year.

Drew Patrick, Superintendent of Scarsdale Schools, acknowledged Go’s contributions to the school community in a statement to CNN. Reverend Kim, Soo’s mother, is the first woman to have been ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea. The church joined those calling for Soo’s release over the weekend.

The detainment of Soo occurred amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen control over “sanctuary cities” like New York City, with the Justice Department filing a lawsuit against the city in July for policies designed to impede federal immigration enforcement. The family appealed to the South Korean government to intervene in Soo’s case.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed communication with US officials regarding Soo’s detention, stating they have been providing necessary consular assistance since becoming aware of the case. Purdue University has also been made aware of reports concerning a visa situation involving one of their students and has reached out to the student’s family for support.