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Alvarado Today
By the People, for the People
Palestinian Immigrant Describes 'Human Tragedy' of ICE Detention
Leqaa Kordia's experiences in Texas detention center echo her childhood in occupied Palestine
Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:52pm
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A detainee's solitary vigil in an ICE detention center reflects the human tragedy of the immigration system.Alvarado TodayLeqaa Kordia, a Palestinian immigrant, has spoken out about the harrowing conditions she experienced while detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, Texas. Kordia's time in ICE custody brought back painful memories of her childhood in occupied Palestine, where she faced regular raids, checkpoints, and humiliation by Israeli soldiers. She described the indignities of life in detention, from sleeping on thin mattresses on the floor to the complete disregard of her religious rights and medical neglect that led to her hospitalization.
Why it matters
Kordia's story sheds light on the broader issues of immigration detention and the treatment of Palestinian immigrants in the U.S. Her experiences echo the human rights abuses faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation, raising concerns about the parallels between ICE detention centers and the occupied territories.
The details
Kordia was arrested around the same time as two other Palestinian and Columbia University students, Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, whose detention a federal judge in Boston ruled was unconstitutional and intentionally designed to chill speech. Kordia described guards at the Prairieland detention center ignoring detainees' requests for help, telling them to 'shut up,' and frequently laughing at them. She also detailed the poor living conditions, including sleeping on thin mattresses on the floor, the complete disregard for religious rights, and medical neglect that led to her hospitalization.
- Kordia was released from the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, Texas on March 16, 2026.
- Kordia was arrested around the same time as Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, whose detention was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Boston.
The players
Leqaa Kordia
A Palestinian immigrant who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, Texas.
Mahmoud Khalil
A Palestinian and Columbia University student who was arrested around the same time as Kordia, and whose detention was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Boston.
Mohsen Mahdawi
A Palestinian and Columbia University student who was arrested around the same time as Kordia, and whose detention was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Boston.
What they’re saying
“As soon as I opened my eyes I saw that soldier laughing – literally laughing – and pointing his rifle in my face.”
— Leqaa Kordia
“People can literally grow crazy in those places.”
— Leqaa Kordia
The takeaway
Kordia's experiences in ICE detention highlight the parallels between the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. and the human rights abuses faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Her story underscores the urgent need to address the systemic issues within the immigration detention system and to ensure the fair and humane treatment of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or national origin.
