Leqaa Kordia Released from Immigration Detention After Year-Long Custody

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, was released from immigration detention on March 13, 2026, after spending a year in custody. Her detention was linked to her participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside Columbia University in 2024, which occurred in response to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Kordia, who moved to the United States from the occupied West Bank in 2016, was among approximately 100 individuals arrested during the protest. Although the charges against her were dismissed, information about her arrest was later provided to the Trump administration by the New York City Police Department, citing a need for records in a money laundering investigation.

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Kordia had been held at the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas since her arrest during a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey. Federal officials accused her of overstaying her visa and scrutinized financial support she sent to relatives in the Middle East, which Kordia stated was intended to assist family members affected by the war. An immigration judge, Tara Naslow, ultimately ruled in favor of Kordia's release on a $100,000 bond after the government did not challenge the third ruling. Kordia expressed her relief upon release, stating, “I don’t know what to say. I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year.”

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Kordia's health deteriorated during her time in custody, leading to hospitalization for three days following a seizure. Her attorneys highlighted that she had a neurological condition that worsened while detained, increasing her risk of further seizures. The immigration judge noted the lack of substantial evidence from the government against Kordia, emphasizing the overwhelming evidence supporting her claims.

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Following her release, Kordia expressed her intention to continue advocating for others still detained, stating, “There is a lot of injustice in this place.” Advocates and officials, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, celebrated her release but emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to protect the rights of individuals targeted for their activism. Travis Fife from the Texas Civil Rights Project remarked, “Leqaa going home today is the bare minimum... we must continue to assert the fundamental First Amendment principle that the government cannot abuse power to punish people for using their voice.”

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Kordia's case drew criticism regarding the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, particularly targeting noncitizens involved in protests. Other activists, such as Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk, faced similar detentions, raising concerns about the implications for free speech and activism in the U.S. Kordia's situation remained less publicized compared to other cases, partly due to her lack of affiliation with a student organization.

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Kordia's release marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration enforcement and political activism in the United States. Advocates continue to call for reforms to prevent the misuse of immigration laws against individuals exercising their rights to protest.

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