Palestinian Woman Freed After Year in Immigration Detention

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old from the West Bank, was the last person still in custody after a 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:27pm

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Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman who had been held in a U.S. immigration detention center in Texas for over a year, was released on $100,000 bond on Monday. Kordia was among roughly 100 people arrested outside Columbia University during protests at the school in 2024, but the charges against her were later dismissed and sealed.

Why it matters

Kordia's case highlights the Trump administration's use of immigration enforcement powers to target noncitizens who had criticized or protested Israel's military actions in Gaza, including students and scholars at American universities. Her release after a year in custody raises questions about the treatment of immigrants and activists in the U.S. immigration system.

The details

Kordia, who has lived in New Jersey since 2016, was arrested during a March 2025 check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was immediately detained and flown to a detention center in Texas. Federal officials accused her of overstaying her visa and scrutinized payments she sent to relatives in the Middle East, which she said were meant to help family members suffering during the war. An immigration judge found 'overwhelming evidence' that Kordia was telling the truth about the payments.

  • Kordia was arrested on March 13, 2025 during a check-in with ICE in New Jersey.
  • Kordia was released on $100,000 bond on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Leqaa Kordia

A 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank who has lived in New Jersey since 2016 and was the last person still in immigration detention after the Trump administration's 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.

Hamzah Abushaban

Kordia's cousin, who expressed relief and gratitude at her release.

Tara Naslow

The immigration judge who agreed to release Kordia on bond, citing 'overwhelming evidence' that she was telling the truth about the payments she sent to relatives in the Middle East.

Anastasia Norcross

An attorney for the Department of Homeland Security who opposed Kordia's release, regardless of the bond amount.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know what to say. I'm free! I'm free! Finally, after one year,”

— Leqaa Kordia

“We are overwhelmed with relief and gratitude at the release of our beloved Leqaa Kordia. This past year has taken an unimaginable toll on Leqaa and our entire family.”

— Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia's cousin

“There is a lot of injustice in this place. There is a lot of people that shouldn't be here the first place.”

— Leqaa Kordia

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Leqaa Kordia to remain free on bond while her immigration case continues.

The takeaway

Kordia's release after a year in immigration detention highlights the Trump administration's use of immigration enforcement to target noncitizens who criticized or protested Israel's actions, raising concerns about the treatment of immigrants and activists in the U.S. immigration system.