Trending Now - Protests Ignite After Controversial Release of MS-13 Member

WHO:

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank.

Tara Naslow, immigration judge who ordered Kordia's release.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor, who requested Kordia's release during a meeting with President Trump.

Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia’s cousin, who commented on the toll of her detention.

Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated, “The facts of this case have not changed: Leqaa Kordia is in the country illegally after violating the terms of her visa.”

Anastasia Norcross, attorney for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that the government opposed the release of Kordia, regardless of the bond.

Sarah Sherman-Stokes, supervising attorney with the Boston University School of Law Immigrants Rights Clinic, stated, “We are elated and relieved that Leqaa can finally return home to her family in New Jersey after a long year in ICE detention.”

Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia’s cousin, stated, “This past year has taken an unimaginable toll on Leqaa and our entire family.”

Amal Thabateh, staff attorney with Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR), stated, “Leqaa should not have spent a single moment in ICE detention, let alone an entire year.”

Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia’s cousin, stated, “We are grateful to our community that stood beside us every step of the way, and for the countless prayers offered during this past Ramadan – those moments of sincerity and hope carried us through some of our darkest days.”

Travis Fife, staff attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, stated, “Leqaa going home today is the bare minimum. We must continue to assert the fundamental First Amendment principle that the government cannot abuse power to punish people for using their voice.”

Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia’s cousin, stated that the past year had taken an “unimaginable toll on Kordia and the entire family.”

Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, criticized Kordia for “providing financial support to individuals living in nations hostile to the U.S.”

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank, has lived in New Jersey since 2016.

Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, criticized Kordia's actions.

Tara Naslow, immigration judge who ordered Kordia's release.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor, who requested Kordia's release during a meeting with President Trump.

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank

President Trump, referenced in relation to the administration's policies

Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security

Tara Naslow, immigration judge

Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor

WHAT:

Kordia was released on March 16th, 2026, after the government did not challenge the third bond ruling.

Kordia was hospitalized for three days following a seizure after fainting and hitting her head at the detention facility.

Kordia's legal team reported that her legs were chained to her bed during her hospitalization, and she was denied access to legal counsel or family while in the hospital.

Kordia stated, “I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights,” according to Mayor Mamdani.

Kordia was released on March 16th, 2026, after the government did not challenge the third bond ruling.

Kordia was hospitalized for three days following a seizure after fainting and hitting her head at the detention facility.

Kordia's legal team reported that her legs were chained to her bed during her hospitalization, and she was denied access to legal counsel or family while in the hospital.

Kordia was released from ICE detention on March 16th, 2026, after over a year in custody.

Kordia’s legal team reported that she lost nearly 200 relatives in the U.S.-backed Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.

Travis Fife, staff attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, stated, “Leqaa going home today is the bare minimum.”

Kordia was the last person still in immigration detention after the Trump administration’s 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.

Kordia was released on March 16th, 2026, after the government did not challenge the third bond ruling.

Kordia was hospitalized for three days following a seizure after fainting and hitting her head at the detention facility.

Kordia’s legs were reportedly chained to her bed during her hospitalization, and she was denied access to legal counsel or family while in the hospital.

Kordia was released on March 16th, 2026, after the government did not challenge the third bond ruling.

Kordia lost nearly 200 members of her family during the conflict in Gaza.

Kordia’s legal team reported that her legs were chained to her bed during her hospitalization.

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

Kordia expressed her intention to continue fighting for others still detained, saying, “There is a lot of injustice in this place. There is a lot of people that shouldn’t be here the first place.”

Kordia was hospitalized for three days following a seizure after fainting and hitting her head at the detention facility.

Leqaa Kordia was released from immigration detention on March 16th, 2026, after one year in custody.

Kordia was held on a $100,000 bond after an immigration judge ordered her release three times.

Kordia participated in a protest outside Columbia University in 2024, which led to her detention.

Kordia was among approximately 100 people arrested during the protest.

Kordia was accused of overstaying her visa and scrutinized for sending payments to relatives in the Middle East.

WHERE:

Kordia was detained at Prairieland Detention Center, south of Dallas, Texas.

Kordia was arrested in New Jersey during a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

WHEN:

Kordia was released from ICE detention on March 16th, 2026, after being held for one year.

Kordia was arrested on March 13th, 2025, during a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Kordia was released from ICE detention on March 16th, 2026, after being held for one year.

Kordia was arrested on March 13th, 2025, during a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Kordia was arrested on March 13th, 2025.

Kordia was released from detention on March 16th, 2026.

Kordia had been in custody for one year.

WHY:

Kordia was targeted by the Trump administration for her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza, which included participating in protests.

Kordia's detention was linked to her participation in a protest after Israel killed scores of her relatives in Gaza.

Kordia was targeted by the Trump administration for her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza, which included participating in protests.

Kordia was targeted by the Trump administration for her advocacy for Palestinian rights, which included participating in protests against Israel's military actions.

Kordia was targeted by the Trump administration for her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Kordia's detention was linked to her participation in a protest after Israel killed scores of her relatives in Gaza.

Kordia's detention was linked to her participation in protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

The Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses was a contributing factor to her detention.

HOW:

The immigration judge, Tara Naslow, stated, “I’ve heard testimony. I’ve seen thousands of pages of evidence presented by the respondent, and very little evidence presented by the government in any of this.”

Kordia’s attorneys argued that she was unlawfully targeted by the government for her political activism against Israel’s actions.

The immigration judge, Tara Naslow, described the U.S. government’s arguments against Kordia’s release as “disingenuous” and stated she posed “next to no flight risk.”

An immigration judge found “overwhelming evidence” that Kordia was truthful about the payments she sent to relatives.

Kordia’s attorneys stated that her neurological condition had worsened while in custody, increasing her risk of seizure.

Kordia's case involved multiple hearings where an immigration judge reviewed evidence and testimony.

The government challenged the first two rulings for her release before not contesting the third.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:10 UTC)

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank, was released from ICE detention on March 16, 2026, after being held for over a year, with her release coming after an immigration judge found insufficient evidence from the government to challenge her bond ruling. Kordia, who was hospitalized for three days following a seizure while in detention, expressed gratitude for her release, stating, “I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights,” according to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Kordia's detention was linked to her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza, particularly following a protest after the deaths of many of her relatives in the conflict.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 21:10 UTC)

Leqaa Kordia was released from ICE detention on March 16, 2026, after being held for a year, as the government did not challenge a third bond ruling. During her time in detention, Kordia was hospitalized for three days following a seizure, and her legal team reported that she was chained to her bed and denied access to legal counsel or family while recovering. Kordia was targeted by Trump’s administration for her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza, which included participating in protests, and a judge noted that the government presented very little evidence against her case.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Leqaa Kordia was released from ICE detention on March 16, 2026, after spending over a year in custody, a situation that has deeply affected her and her family. Her legal team highlighted the unimaginable toll this year has taken, especially after she lost nearly 200 relatives in the U.S.-backed Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, and they argued that she was unlawfully targeted by the Trump administration for her advocacy of Palestinian rights. Sarah Sherman-Stokes, a supervising attorney with the Boston University School of Law Immigrants Rights Clinic, expressed relief at Kordia's return home to New Jersey, emphasizing that she should not have spent any time in detention.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 13:25 UTC)

Kordia was released from immigration detention on March 16 after the government chose not to challenge the third bond ruling, marking a significant moment following the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. During her time in detention, Kordia experienced serious health issues, including a seizure that led to a three-day hospitalization where she was reportedly chained to her bed and denied access to legal counsel or family. In response to her release, Hamzah Abushaban expressed gratitude for the community's support and prayers, while Travis Fife emphasized the importance of protecting First Amendment rights against government overreach.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 11:17 UTC)

Kordia was released on March 16 after the government chose not to contest the third bond ruling, despite her being targeted by Trump’s administration for her political activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Her cousin, Hamzah Abushaban, shared that the past year has taken an unimaginable toll on Kordia and their entire family, who lost nearly 200 members during the conflict in Gaza. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, criticized Kordia for allegedly providing financial support to individuals in nations hostile to the U.S., while Kordia’s legal team revealed that her legs were chained to her bed during her hospitalization following her arrest on March 13, 2025.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 09:16 UTC)

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank who has lived in New Jersey since 2016, was released from detention after an immigration judge found overwhelming evidence supporting her claims regarding payments made to her relatives. Upon her release, Kordia expressed her joy, saying, “I’m free! I’m free! Finally, after one year,” and vowed to continue fighting for others still detained, highlighting the injustices faced by many. Kordia's detention stemmed from her participation in a protest following the deaths of numerous relatives in Gaza, and her attorneys noted that her neurological condition had worsened during her time in custody, leading to a seizure that required hospitalization.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 07:25 UTC)

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman from the West Bank, was released from immigration detention on March 16 after spending a year in custody, having been arrested on March 13, 2025, during a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Jersey. Kordia's detention was linked to her participation in a protest against Israel's military actions in Gaza, which drew attention to the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses. After an immigration judge ordered her release three times, the government ultimately did not contest the third ruling, allowing her to leave Prairieland Detention Center in Texas.