Yeonsoo Go Released on August 4, 2025 After Five Days of Fear and Uncertainty

(Updated August 6, 2025) After five days in detention, Scarsdale’s Yeonsoo Go was released by ICE on August 4, 2025. The 20 year-old rising sophomore was detained at Federal Plaza by ICE agents on July 31 after a routine visa hearing.

Though her visa was not set to expire until December, 2025 and she was following all legal procedures to renew it, she was seized by ICE and flown to a detention center in Louisiana. Friends and supporters held a protest in Federal Plaza on August 2, 2025 and enlisted the support of New York lawmakers to intervene on her behalf.

See the statement below from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who secured her release with other New York lawmakers. A vigil that had been planned for Yeonsoo in Chase Park on Thursday August 7 has now been cancelled.

August 4, 2025 Statement from Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on the Release of Yeonsoo Go

I spoke with Yeonsoo Go tonight, and hearing her voice—happy, relieved, and finally free—filled me with emotion I can hardly put into words. She is home, she is safe, and she is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this incredible community.

I am overjoyed, moved to tears, and filled with pride in everyone who stood up for Yeonsoo. The pain, fear, and uncertainty she and her family endured over the past five days should never have happened—but tonight we celebrate her freedom and the strength of a community that refused to stay silent.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman George Latimer, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Mike Lawler for their swift efforts to help secure Yeonsoo’s release.

Because of this joyous outcome, the vigil and rally planned for this Thursday at 5pm is now cancelled. But the spirit behind it—unity, justice, and compassion—lives on. Let this moment remind us of the power we have when we come together, and of the work we must continue to ensure that no one is unjustly detained in this country.

August 6 Statement from State Senator Shelley B. Mayer

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am deeply relieved that Yeonsoo has been released from ICE custody and has been reunited with her family. While I am grateful for the swift actions of my colleagues Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Congressman George Latimer, Congressman Michael Lawler, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and the advocacy of so many in our community, we must not forget that Yeonsoo should have never been detained. Based on the information provided by her lawyer, Yeonsoo is a lawful, law abiding resident of the United States and has not been accused nor convicted of any crime.

"ICE’s actions against Yeonsoo, like their actions against thousands of others across this country, were unconstitutional and unacceptable. There is no justification for detaining law abiding individuals who are residing lawfully in the United States and attending immigration hearings as required.

"While we celebrate Yeonsoo’s release and her safe return home, we cannot forget about the thousands of other individuals, including many of our own community members, who are being held in custody without due process right now. Nor can we stop speaking up about ICE’s inhumane and hyper-agressive actions which are tearing our communities apart in fear and anxiety. I continue to stand firmly with our immigrant neighbors and will never stop fighting in the New York State Senate to protect their rights and to uphold the premises of our system of democracy."