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Palestinian woman freed after year in US immigration custody
Leqaa Kordia, 33, walked out of a Texas detention center on Monday after spending nearly 12 months in immigration custody following her arrest during Gaza war protests at Columbia University.
From protest arrest to immigration detention
Kordia was first detained in April 2024 during demonstrations outside Columbia University in New York City, where over 100 protesters were arrested. She was released shortly after but taken into custody 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 investigated funds she sent overseas, which she maintained were for family support. No criminal charges have been filed against her.
Legal battle and judge's rebuke
At her third bail hearing last Friday, an immigration judge dismissed the government's arguments against her release as "disingenuous" and ordered her freed on $100,000 bail. The judge cited "overwhelming evidence" that Kordia had been truthful about the financial transactions, according to the Associated Press.
A DHS spokesperson responded that Kordia "is in the country illegally after violating the terms of her visa" and vowed to continue pursuing the "arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country."
Health struggles and allegations of mistreatment
Kordia was hospitalized for three days last month after suffering a seizure at the Alvarado, Texas, detention facility. She also reported fainting episodes and alleged she was chained to a bed in "filthy and inhumane" conditions.
Advocates decry targeting of Palestinian rights activism
Kordia's attorneys argue she was "unlawfully targeted by the government for her advocacy for Palestinian rights." Her cousin, Hamzah Abushaban, told the BBC the past year had taken an "unimaginable toll" on their family.
"We are grateful to our community that stood beside us every step of the way, and for the countless prayers offered during this past Ramadan-those moments of sincerity and hope carried us through some of our darkest days."
Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia's cousin
Broader crackdown on student protesters
Kordia's detention came amid a broader Trump administration crackdown on international student protesters, sparking debates over free speech. She was detained just days after the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, another prominent figure in the 2024 Columbia University protests.
Now back in New Jersey, Kordia awaits the next steps in her immigration case.
