Palestinian Protester Released from US Immigration Detention

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, was released on bond after over a year in a Texas detention center.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:08am

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Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman who was raised in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was released on bond from a U.S. immigration detention center in Texas after a judge's order. Kordia was detained in 2025 for overstaying her expired student visa, though her attorney said she was in the process of securing legal residence. She was arrested at Columbia University in 2024 during pro-Palestinian protests over Israel's war in Gaza.

Why it matters

Kordia's case highlights the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists, with the government claiming that such protests were antisemitic. Rights groups have raised concerns over free speech, due process, and racial profiling issues in the government's actions.

The details

Immigration authorities say they detained Kordia in 2025 for overstaying her expired student visa, though her attorney said she was in the process of securing legal residence. The U.S. government said local police arrested her at Columbia University in 2024 during pro-Palestinian protests over Israel's war in Gaza. Kordia was briefly hospitalized last month following a seizure in detention and said detention conditions were 'filthy' and 'inhumane.'

  • Kordia was detained in 2025.
  • Kordia was arrested at Columbia University in 2024.

The players

Leqaa Kordia

A 33-year-old Palestinian woman who was raised in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and was detained by U.S. immigration authorities.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who cracked down on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, claiming they were antisemitic.

Tara Naselow-Nahas

An immigration judge who ordered Kordia's release on $100,000 bond, stating the government's arguments against her release were 'disingenuous.'

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What’s next

Kordia's immigration case will continue despite her release on bond.

The takeaway

Kordia's case highlights the broader tensions around free speech, due process, and racial profiling concerns in the government's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism during the Trump administration.