For a 3rd time and on the anniversary of her arrest, an immigration decide has ordered Leqaa Kordia, 33 — a Palestinian lady arrested throughout a gathering with immigration officers — launched from ICE detention on bond, however it’s unclear if she’ll be freed.
Kordia was arrested March 13, 2025, for allegedly overstaying her expired visa, which the Division of Homeland Safety mentioned terminated on Jan. 26, 2022. Her arrest was one among a number of that focused pro-Palestinian demonstrators like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi.
Columbia college students, professors, and supporters collect on the college to rally in assist of Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia, and the quite a few different neighborhood members who’ve been unlawfully detained by ICE in New York Metropolis, March 9, 2026.
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu through Getty Pictures
Kordia additionally was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest exterior Columbia College on April 30, 2024, however all fees towards her had been promptly dismissed.
DHS officers have additionally claimed Kordia has offered monetary assist to folks residing in nations hostile to america. Kordia’s attorneys say the funds in query had been made to family members displaced by the warfare in Gaza.
“I’m deeply grateful for all of the individuals who attended at present’s bond listening to on the one-year mark of my detention,” Kordia in a press release launched by her attorneys Friday. “To see so many individuals through the listening to at present made me really feel beloved and supported, and it made me assured that freedom is close to. All I would like is for the federal government to lastly launch me now so I can go dwelling to my household. Till then, I’ll proceed talking up for the essential rights and freedom of all folks, from Texas to Palestine.”
The federal government has twice invoked an automated keep of the bond order in order that they will attraction the choice to launch Kordia, which has prolonged her time in detention. She’s now been detained longer than every other pro-Palestinian demonstrator focused by the Trump administration.
Columbia College graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil speaks throughout a press convention on the one-year anniversary of his ICE arrest, March 9, 2026.
Cayla Bamberger/New York Each day Information through Newscom
“So this our third bond listening to. I’ve heard testimony, I’ve seen hundreds of pages of proof now being offered by the respondent, little or no proof offered by the federal government in any of this,” Choose Tara Naselow-Nahas mentioned throughout Friday’s listening to in Dallas, Texas. “I nonetheless consider that respondent poses subsequent to no flight threat.”
Naselow-Nahas set Kordia’s bond at $100,000.
After the decide ordered Kordia’s launch the second time, in August 2025, the federal government mentioned the set bond of $20,000 was not sufficient to mitigate the chance she might flee as soon as launched. In court docket Friday, Justice Division legal professional Anastasia Norcross mentioned “no quantity of bond” could be ample to make sure her presence at future proceedings.
Leqaa Kordia, second from proper, demonstrates with pro-Palestianian protesters as they collect close to a fundamental gate at Columbia College in New York Metropolis, April 30, 2024.
Craig Ruttle/AP
When requested, Norcross mentioned she couldn’t say whether or not the federal government would once more invoke an automated keep of the order to launch Kordia.
Kordia’s attorneys say their shopper’s well being is in danger if she continues to be detained. She suffered a seizure in February and was despatched to the hospital for 3 days, throughout which period she claimed she was shackled at her wrists and ankles, in line with court docket paperwork.
An ABC Information request for remark despatched to the Division of Homeland Safety didn’t instantly obtain a response.
