In brief
Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, has been released from immigration detention after spending a year in custody in Texas. Her release comes after challenges against her detention were dismissed. Kordia, who had been arrested during a protest at Columbia University, expressed relief upon her release, highlighting the injustices faced by individuals like her still held in detention. Kordia had traveled to the U.S. from the West Bank and was detained after checking in with immigration authorities in New Jersey. Her case garnered limited public attention despite the serious implications of such detentions.
ALVARADO, Texas — Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, has been released from immigration detention on a $100,000 bond after spending a year in custody. Kordia was the last remaining detainee after a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism initiated under the Trump administration.
Kordia had been detained since March of the previous year when she was arrested during protests outside of Columbia University, which were sparked by the killing of many of her relatives in Gaza. Upon her release, Kordia stated, I don’t know what to say. I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year. Her release came after an immigration judge found overwhelming evidence supporting her claims and dismissed the government's challenges to her previous orders for release.
During her year of detention, Kordia's health deteriorated, resulting in a hospitalization following a seizure. Supporters, including her cousin Hamzah Abushaban, expressed immense relief at her freedom, emphasizing the toll her detention had taken on their family.
Kordia's journey reflects the broader issues of detention faced by immigrant activists, with many voicing support for fellow detainees who continue battling their own cases. After her release, she expressed a desire to return home and reconnect with her family while continuing to advocate for justice.
Reflecting on her experiences and the injustices at the detention center, Kordia remarked, There is a lot of injustice in this place. There are a lot of people that shouldn’t be here in the first place. Her case highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement and political activism, particularly among those opposing military actions in Gaza.
