Scarsdale High School grad released after being detained by ICE for several days
SCARSDALE, New York (WABC) -- Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old woman who was taken into ICE custody after a routine visa hearing on Thursday, was released on Monday night.
Go was greeted by her mother after being released from ICE detention at 26 Federal Plaza.
Her release comes five days after federal agents grabbed Go moments after she wrapped up a hearing in Lower Manhattan last week.
Go was sent to federal immigration detention in Louisiana. Her lawyer says ICE has not explained why.
Her mom is an Episcopal church pastor and New York's Episcopal bishop was among those demanding her release.
"So grateful that Yeonsoo gets to sleep in her own bed tonight that she was returned to her mother after five days of tirelessly waiting to see what was going on, being transferred to detention centers," said Ashley Gonzalez-Grissom.
Go is an engineering student at Purdue University and a graduate of Scarsdale High School. Her mom works at a church in Scarsdale.
"She had a religious visa which both she and Yeonsoo are using, and although that Visa doesn't even expire until December, she was detained," said Assembly member Amy Paulin.
The incident, and the harsh reality of ICE detention and immigrant deportation sent shock waves through the affluent village of Scarsdale, where the 20-year-old went to high school.
"I am passionate about ending this juggernaut, stopping this juggernaut in its tracks and now it has hit our community," said Scarsdale resident Jeanne Rosenthal. "So, we really need to step up for this girl and everyone else."
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin had organized a prayer vigil and rally for Thursday evening at Chase Park to continue calls for Go's release.
The rally was likely to be similar to the one held in Lower Manhattan on Saturday where protestors also called for authorities to release Go, who is now an engineering major at Purdue University.
Robert Draper was her physics teacher at Scarsdale High School.
"The thought of her being held, detained in Louisiana, under who knows what conditions, of course, it's a bit frightening," Draper said.
On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement calling Go an illegal alien from South Korea "...who overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago," adding, "ICE arrested her on July 31 and placed her in expedited removal proceedings."
Go's lawyer tells Eyewitness News that her status was lawful and her visa was valid through December, and they don't understand why DHS claimed she overstayed.
"We're just so grateful to God and so grateful to all the folks who have worked on this case and have worked to bring this 20 year old girl home that should be returning to college in the fall," Gonzalez-Grissom aded.
Go's lawyer also says this is an ongoing case and that they are cooperating with federal authorities.
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