A Palestinian woman who was detained during Gaza war protests at Columbia University has been released after a year in immigration detention in Texas, her lawyers say.
Leqaa Kordia, 33, was among more than 100 demonstrators arrested outside the New York City college's campus in April 2024, but she was released recently.
She was arrested again in March 2025 during a routine immigration check-in. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed she had overstayed her student visa, which was terminated in 2022 for 'lack of attendance'.
Federal officials also launched an investigation into funds she sent overseas, which she said were for family support. She has not been charged with a crime.
I don't know what to say. I'm free! I'm free! Finally, after one year, Kordia expressed to reporters following her release from the detention centre near Dallas. An immigration judge labeled the government's arguments against her release as 'disingenuous', ultimately leading to her bail of $100,000.
Kordia's case was part of a larger government crackdown on international student protesters, particularly during the Trump administration, which raised significant debates regarding free speech and the targeting of activists for their political stances.
Upon her release, Kordia can return to her residence in New Jersey while her case continues. She maintains that her detention was unjust and tied to her advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Her cousin, Hamzah Abushaban, reflected on the immense toll the past year has taken on their family and thanked the community for support throughout this ordeal. As Kordia moves forward, the implications of her detention continue to resonate within discussions on immigration policy and activist freedoms in the U.S.
