Why has Leqaa Kordia, a protester from Columbia University, found herself in ICE detention for almost an entire year? The situation is deeply troubling and raises significant questions about immigration policies and the treatment of activists.
Just recently, after enduring nearly twelve months in ICE custody, Kordia woke up in a hospital bed following an alarming health scare that included fainting and experiencing a seizure. The ordeal left her family and legal representatives in a state of uncertainty, as they had no information regarding her whereabouts or condition for several days. Kordia's mother expressed the anguish she felt during this time, stating, "Not knowing what hospital [Leqaa] was in, what her condition was like, whether she was even alive or dead, was agonizing. Like any other mother, I was worried sick."
After her release from the hospital on Monday, Kordia was sent back to detention, raising concerns among her friends and family about her deteriorating health. Currently, she is the only remaining protester from Columbia University still held in ICE detention.
Last year, shortly after Mahmoud Khalil—another key figure in the protests—was taken by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Kordia was also apprehended during what she thought was a standard immigration check-in. Both she and Khalil participated in protests against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. However, while Khalil was later released, Kordia's detention has continued.
At 33 years old, Kordia hails from East Jerusalem and has a complex personal history. Her parents divorced during her childhood, resulting in her staying with her father in Ramallah while her mother relocated to the United States, eventually becoming a citizen after remarrying. In 2016, Kordia visited her mother in New Jersey, enrolling in English language programs under an F-1 student visa. Following that, her mother petitioned for her permanent residency, which was granted in 2021. While waiting for her green card, Kordia made the choice to leave school, believing she could remain legally in the U.S. due to her status. She later reflected, "I dropped out of school thinking that, ‘Now I have a lawful status in the United States.’ I thought that was enough for me to stay legally. Unfortunately, I overstayed, but not intentionally."
In the years that followed, Kordia lived a typical American life, working as a waitress and caring for her mother and half-brother, who has autism. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2023 when the violence against Palestinians escalated significantly. With nearly 200 members of her extended family reportedly killed, Kordia felt compelled to act on behalf of her community.
In April 2024, she participated in a demonstration outside the gates of Columbia University, standing in solidarity with students protesting against U.S. institutions' complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza. Caught in a police sweep during the rally, she was arrested, although the charges were later dismissed.
The situation took a critical turn in 2025. On March 8, Mahmoud Khalil was detained by plainclothes DHS agents. Just five days later, Kordia attended what she assumed was a routine ICE interview in Newark, New Jersey. Instead, she found herself ambushed, placed into an unmarked van, and transported over a thousand miles away to the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas.
This turn of events prompted a strong response from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who stated, "It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country." Such statements highlight the contentious nature of the situation, where immigration status intersects with political activism.
As we consider Kordia's story, it prompts us to reflect: How should governments balance national security with the rights of individuals, especially those who exercise their freedom to protest? What implications does her case have for others in similar circumstances? Share your thoughts—do you agree with the actions taken by immigration authorities, or do you believe there should be more protections for activists?
