Attorneys for Columbia University student Yunseo Chung, who is suing the Trump administration after learning she was targeted for deportation, appeared in court Thursday to argue her case. 

Chung, a 21-year-old Korea native and green card holder, denies allegations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that she engaged in pro-Hamas protests. She claims she's being wrongly targeted because she participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. 

Columbia student suing Trump administration over deportation case

Protesters held a "Hands Off Yunseo Chung" rally Thursday in Foley Square as a federal court judge heard from lawyers for Chung, a rising senior at Columbia. A crowd of about 80 supporters gathered outside the courthouse. 

Chung's lawsuit claims ICE started targeting her after she was arrested and given a citation during a March 5 protest over Columbia taking disciplinary action against students who had been involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. 

"She's 21 years old. She moved to the U.S. when she was 7 from South Korea," a protester said Thursday. "She was at a protest at Barnard, a pro-Palestinian protest, and she was arrested there, but then the charges were completely dismissed."

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it was seeking to deport Chung, saying she "engaged in concerning conduct," and characterizing the protest as "pro-Hamas."

Chung's lawyers said ICE went to her dorm and her parents' Virginia home in March, but she was not at either location. A judge granted a temporary restraining order to block Chung's deportation two months ago.

Students' lawyers argue for case to be heard in New York

The issue in court now is whether ICE's attempts to detain Chung are legal and if her immigration case should be heard in New York, where she lives and interns, according to her lawyers. 

At first, the judge said she could not rule unless Chung formally entered into some kind of proceeding with ICE. 

"The judge made quite clear that there's a clear path forward for Ms. Chung to be able to vindicate her free speech and due process claims," Nathan Yaffe, one of Chung's lawyers, said. 

The judge offered for Chung to enter a bail agreement, which could be done without being detained, she said. At one point, Chung's attorneys told the judge she could be at the courthouse within an hour if need be. 

The federal government's lawyer would not sign off on a bail agreement, saying he needed permission from ICE top brass who could not be reached. CBS News New York is waiting for comment from the Department of Homeland Security on the development in Chung's case. 

Back in March, a DHS spokesperson said, "ICE [Homeland Security Investigations] will investigate individuals engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization." 

"The idea that a valedictorian just shows some humanity to fellow people is somehow a threat to U.S. foreign policy, and it really makes you wonder what's going on with our foreign policy," Josh Colangelo, another one of Chung's attorneys, said. 

For now, the judge extended the temporary restraining order protecting Chung from arrest until a hearing on June 5.   

On Wednesday, a judge blocked the deportation of fellow Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, saying removing him over his beliefs would likely violate the constitution. The judge stopped short of ordering Khalil released from ICE custody in Louisiana, asking his attorneys to further respond to claims he failed to disclose information on his residency application.