Full Breakdown
Leqaa Kordia Released from Immigration Detention After Yearlong Battle
3/17/2026, 11:52:22 PM
Background on Detention and Protests
Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, was released from the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on March 16, 2026, after spending over a year in immigration custody. Kordia's detention began on March 13, 2025, following her participation in a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University in 2024, which coincided with Israel's military actions in Gaza. Kordia, who moved to the United States from the occupied West Bank in 2016, claims she was targeted by immigration authorities due to her activism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that her detention was related to overstaying her student visa, a claim her legal team disputes, arguing that she was in the process of securing legal residency.
Legal Proceedings and Release
Kordia's release followed a protracted legal struggle, marked by three bond hearings. An immigration judge, Tara Naslow, ordered her release on bond three times, but the DHS invoked an automatic stay to keep her detained after the first two rulings. On the third occasion, the government did not contest the judge's decision, allowing her to post a $100,000 bond. Kordia's attorneys highlighted the lack of substantial evidence from the government to justify her continued detention, with Judge Naslow criticizing the government's arguments as "disingenuous."
Health Concerns and Advocacy
During her detention, Kordia's health deteriorated, culminating in a hospitalization for a seizure. Her legal team argued that her neurological condition worsened while in custody, raising concerns about the detention conditions, which Kordia described as "filthy" and "inhumane." Following her release, Kordia expressed relief but also a commitment to continue advocating for others still detained, stating, "There is a lot of injustice in this place."
Reactions and Broader Implications
Kordia's case has drawn attention from various advocacy groups and political figures. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who discussed Kordia's situation with President Donald Trump, expressed gratitude for her release. Advocacy organizations, including the Texas Civil Rights Project and Muslim Advocates, have been involved in her legal defense, arguing that her detention was a violation of her rights and a retaliatory action against her free speech.
Criticism of Government Actions
Critics of the government's actions, including multiple rights groups and some Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns about the broader implications of Kordia's detention. They argue that the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses represents a troubling trend of using immigration enforcement to silence dissent. Kordia's case is emblematic of this crackdown, as she was among several activists detained for their involvement in protests against Israel's military actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t know what to say. I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year,” — Leqaa Kordia, Activist
- “This past year has taken an unimaginable toll on Leqaa and our entire family.” — Hamzah Abushaban, Cousin of Leqaa Kordia
- “ "Leqaa should not have spent a single moment in ICE detention, let alone an entire year," said Amal Thabateh, Staff Attorney with CLEAR.” — Amal Thabateh, Staff Attorney with CLEAR
- “I’ve heard testimony. I’ve seen thousands of pages of evidence presented by the respondent, and very little evidence presented by the government in any of this,” — Judge Tara Naslow
Kordia's release marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of activists in the United States. As her legal battle continues, her case remains a focal point for discussions on free speech and the treatment of noncitizens involved in political advocacy.
