A 20-year-old Korean student was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately after appearing in immigration court in New York, prompting protest from religious leaders, immigrant advocacy groups, and the Korean American community.
Younsoo Koh, who entered the U.S. legally in March 2021 on an R-2 religious family visa with her mother, Reverend Giri Kim, had just appeared in court on July 31. According to the Episcopal Diocese of New York, her visa renewal hearing was postponed until October, and she was exiting the courtroom when ICE agents arrested her. She was initially held at the Manhattan ICE office before being transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana on August 3.
Koh is the daughter of Reverend Giri Kim, the first woman ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Korea’s Seoul Diocese, and is currently residing in the U.S. on a valid R-1 religious worker visa. Koh graduated from a New York high school and is currently a student at Purdue University.
Koh’s attorney stated that she submitted a visa extension application in May 2023, which was approved, and her status remains valid until December 12, 2025. The attorney believes the arrest may have stemmed from administrative confusion related to Reverend Kim’s recent church transfer. Koh’s legal team argues that ICE misinterpreted the change and wrongly concluded that her status had expired.
Multiple organizations, including the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Interfaith Center of New York, and the New York Immigration Coalition, held a press conference outside the Manhattan ICE office on August 2, demanding Koh’s immediate release.
Bishop Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese criticized current immigration enforcement policies as “cruel and chaotic,” stating, “A student who followed legal procedures is being unfairly detained.”
Reverend Marisa Sifontes added, “Immigrants continue to be arrested after court appearances. Despite constitutional protections, the right to due process is being ignored.”
Reverend Kim said during the press conference that her request to visit her daughter was denied and that she had no information about where or when her daughter would be transferred. “I have long advocated for immigrant rights,” she said. “But I never imagined my own family would be targeted.”
The event was also attended by members of the Korean American community. Myungsuk Lee, president of the Korean American Association of Greater New York, stated, “Arresting individuals who are lawfully present is a violation of human rights.” He said the group would send a formal request for Koh’s release and collaborate with other organizations on a coordinated response.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
