Paterson Rallies for Release of Detained Palestinian Immigrant

Community leaders and officials demand freedom for Leqaa Kordia, who has been held by ICE for nearly a year despite court orders to release her.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nearly a year after Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman living in Paterson, New Jersey, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas, elected officials and community leaders gathered at Paterson City Hall to plead for her release. Kordia, who moved to the U.S. in 2016 and helped care for her mother and brother, was detained for an alleged visa violation, which her attorneys say was due to her pro-Palestinian advocacy. Despite an immigration judge ordering her release twice, the Department of Homeland Security has kept her detained, citing her protest activity and money she sent to relatives "living in nations hostile to the U.S."

Why it matters

Kordia's case highlights concerns about the treatment of immigrants, particularly those with political views that may be seen as controversial by the government. Her detention without due process and the disregard for court orders to release her raise questions about the fairness and transparency of the immigration system. The rally in Paterson also underscores the impact her detention has had on the local community, where her family waits in fear for her wellbeing.

The details

Kordia was detained by ICE in March 2025 during a meeting at the agency's Newark office, with officials claiming she had overstayed her student visa. However, Kordia says she received mistaken advice that an application for permanent residency granted her temporary legal status. Despite an immigration judge twice ordering her release, the Department of Homeland Security has used administrative stays to keep her detained, citing her protest activity and money she sent to help family members pay for rent, utilities and medical bills in the West Bank.

  • Kordia was detained by ICE in March 2025.
  • In December 2025, the Paterson City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Kordia's behalf.
  • The rally at Paterson City Hall took place on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Leqaa Kordia

A 33-year-old Palestinian woman living in Paterson, New Jersey, who has been detained by ICE in Texas for nearly a year despite court orders to release her.

Andre Sayegh

The mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, who spoke at the rally and delivered an emotional plea for Kordia's release.

Rania Mustafa

The executive director of the Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton, New Jersey, who said Kordia's family is "terrified" for her life after she suffered a seizure while in detention.

Omar Farah

The executive director of Muslim Advocates, who is co-counsel in Kordia's case and read a statement from her while she was hospitalized.

Ibrahim Omar

A Paterson City Council member who sponsored a resolution on Kordia's behalf, stating that "no one should be punished and held indefinitely without justice."

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What they’re saying

“Today in Paterson, our hearts are breaking because one of our residents is not just in custody but in chains, treated like an animal, abducted and for almost a year she has been treated inhumanely.”

— Andre Sayegh, Mayor of Paterson (northjersey.com)

“This is a humanitarian plea. Let her go. Let her live.”

— Andre Sayegh, Mayor of Paterson (northjersey.com)

“Here in Paterson, her family waits in fear for her life.”

— Rania Mustafa, Executive Director, Palestinian American Community Center (northjersey.com)

“No one should be punished and held indefinitely without justice. We stand with Leqaa and we stand with her family.”

— Ibrahim Omar, Paterson City Council Member (northjersey.com)

“People come here to look for the American dream and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] is creating a nightmare.”

— Luis Velez, Paterson City Council Member (northjersey.com)

What’s next

The Paterson City Council is expected to continue advocating for Leqaa Kordia's release, and her attorneys plan to pursue further legal action to challenge her prolonged detention.

The takeaway

Kordia's case highlights the challenges faced by immigrants, particularly those with political views that may be seen as controversial, in navigating the U.S. immigration system. Her detention without due process and the disregard for court orders to release her raise concerns about the fairness and transparency of the system, and the rally in Paterson underscores the impact her detention has had on the local community.