Full Breakdown
Leqaa Kordia Released from Immigration Detention After Year-Long Battle
3/18/2026, 12:01:23 PM
Overview of the Core Event
Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, has been released from immigration detention after spending over a year in custody, marking the conclusion of a significant case linked to the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses. Kordia's detention was part of a broader enforcement strategy targeting noncitizens involved in protests against Israel's military actions during the Gaza conflict.
Background & Context
Kordia was arrested during a protest outside Columbia University in April 2024, where she joined approximately 100 demonstrators following the deaths of numerous relatives in Gaza. Although the charges against her from the protest were dismissed, her case gained attention after she was detained during a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 13, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that Kordia had overstayed her student visa, which had been terminated in 2022 due to lack of attendance.
Key Figures & Groups
Leqaa Kordia's case drew attention from various figures, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who advocated for her release during a meeting with President Donald Trump. Kordia's detention was part of a larger pattern of arrests involving activists like Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, who also faced immigration enforcement actions for participating in similar protests.
Official Statements & Responses
Following Kordia's release, Mayor Mamdani expressed gratitude, stating, "I am grateful that Leqaa has been released... after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights." The DHS maintained its stance, asserting that Kordia was in the U.S. illegally and emphasizing its commitment to enforcing immigration laws. A spokesperson stated, “The facts of this case have not changed: Leqaa Kordia is in the country illegally after violating the terms of her visa.”
Criticism & Opposition
Kordia's supporters, including human rights advocates, criticized her detention as politically motivated and an infringement on free speech. Sarah Sherman-Stokes, supervising attorney with the Boston University School of Law Immigrants' Rights Clinic, argued that Kordia was being "unlawfully targeted by the government for her advocacy for Palestinian rights." Activists highlighted the inhumane conditions Kordia faced in detention, including inadequate medical care and reports of being chained during hospital visits.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t know what to say. I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year,” — Leqaa Kordia
- “There is a lot of people that shouldn’t be here the first place.” — Leqaa Kordia
- “After spending a harrowing year in ICE custody, Leqaa can return to New Jersey to reunite with her family and loved ones – just in time for the end of Ramadan and start of Eid celebrations,” — Justin Mazzola, Amnesty International USA
What's Next
Kordia's release allows her to return to New Jersey, where she plans to reunite with her family. The broader implications of her case continue to resonate, as discussions around immigration enforcement and free speech in the context of political activism remain contentious in the U.S. The Trump administration's policies on immigration and campus protests are likely to be scrutinized as similar cases arise.
