Palestinian Activist Leqaa Kordia Released After Year in Detention

Mon Mar 16 2026 23:53:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Leqaa Kordia, the last Palestinian detained amid Trump-era crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activists, is released on bond after spending a year in custody.

Leqaa Kordia has been released from immigration detention after spending a year behind bars. The 33-year-old Palestinian, who was arrested during a protest against Israeli actions in Gaza, was freed on a $100,000 bond. Her release comes after an immigration judge's third order, which the government chose not to contest. Kordia expressed her joy and vowed to continue advocating for others who remain in detention.

ALVARADO, Texas (AP) — Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman and pro-Palestinian activist, has been released from immigration detention after spending nearly a year in custody, following a crackdown initiated under the Trump administration aimed at activists protesting Israeli military actions.

Kordia, 33, who has lived in New Jersey since 2016, was detained after a protest at Columbia University in 2024, during which she and roughly 100 others were arrested. She was released on a $100,000 bond on Monday, after an immigration judge ordered her release for a third time without opposition from the government.

“I don’t know what to say. I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year,” Kordia exclaimed to reporters upon her release.

Her imprisonment raised significant alarms regarding the treatment of activists, especially those voicing dissent against the administration's immigration policies. Kordia had been hospitalized recently due to health complications related to a seizure that occurred in the detention center.

“We are overwhelmed with relief and gratitude at the release of our beloved Leqaa Kordia,” said her cousin Hamzah Abushaban, highlighting the toll her detention took on both her and the family.

In her first statements after her release, Kordia articulated her joy at returning to her family while vowing to stand up for others still trapped in the system. “There is a lot of injustice in this place,” Kordia reflected. “There are many people that shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

Kordia’s activism stemmed from personal tragedies she endured, as many of her relatives were killed in Gaza. She joined protests to express solidarity with her family and her homeland. Now, while her legal troubles are settling, Kordia plans to keep advocating for justice, not just for herself but for the countless others who remain behind bars.