Activist Leqaa Kordia Freed After Year-Long ICE Detention for Palestine Protest

Leqaa Kordia, a pro-Palestinian activist, has been released on bond after spending over a year in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody following her arrest at a protest against Israel's war on Gaza. Kordia, 33, was originally from the West Bank and was taken into custody in April 2024 after participating in a demonstration outside of Columbia University.

Nearly a year later, in March 2025, Kordia was taken into custody after reporting for a check-in at an ICE office in New Jersey. Despite three court rulings ordering her release, Kordia had been held in detention until her recent bond hearing.

The case of Leqaa Kordia has drawn significant attention and criticism from human rights groups and pro-Palestinian advocates. They argue that her prolonged detention without a clear legal justification is a concerning example of the crackdown on dissent and free speech around issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"This is a clear case of the government targeting an activist for her political views and her advocacy for Palestinian rights," said Joanne Blank, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union. "Kordia should never have been detained in the first place, and her release is long overdue."

The ICE detention of Leqaa Kordia has also reignited broader debates about the agency's practices and the treatment of immigrants and activists in the United States. Critics argue that ICE often uses immigration violations as a pretext to target and harass individuals for their political views and activism.

"The Kordia case is a disturbing example of how ICE can be used as a tool to silence and intimidate those who dare to speak out against injustice," said Samantha Levine, a human rights researcher. "It's a chilling reminder of the need for comprehensive immigration reform and greater oversight of ICE and its practices."

Despite her ordeal, Leqaa Kordia remains committed to her pro-Palestinian activism and her fight for justice and human rights. Her release on bond is seen as a small but significant victory for those who have been advocating for her case and the broader struggle for civil liberties and freedom of expression.