Palestinian student Leqaa Kordia released from US detention after a year

The family and legal team of Palestinian national Leqaa Kordia, 33, have expressed strong relief after she was released from custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following more than a year in detention. However, they warned that the legal battle is not yet over, citing ongoing challenges to policies under President Donald Trump’s administration targeting migrants and dissenters.

Sarah Sherman-Stokes, the lawyer leading Kordia’s defence team, said in a statement: “We are elated and relieved that Leqaa can finally return home to her family in New Jersey after a long year in ICE detention.” 

She added: “This is an important step in restoring Leqaa’s rights as she continues to be unlawfully targeted by the government for her advocacy for Palestinian rights,” according to Common Dreams.

READ: Vanished in ICE custody: Palestinian hospitalised, family fears for Leqaa Kordia’s Life

 “We will continue this fight in both immigration and federal courts for as long as it takes, not only for Leqaa but for the freedom of all people facing unjust retaliation for speaking out against genocide,” the defence team’s head affirmed.  

Reports say Kordia, a New Jersey resident, was among several Palestinian activists targeted by the Trump administration. She was detained during a routine ICE check-in in March last year and was quickly transferred to a detention facility in Pearsall, Texas. An immigration judge ordered her release for the third time last Friday, marking one full year since her detention, following renewed calls from rights groups including Amnesty International USA and Defence for Rights and Resistance.

Her cousin, Hamza Abu Shabban, said: “We feel deep relief and gratitude for Leqaa’s release. The past year has been extremely difficult for her and for our entire family. We are thankful to our community for standing with us, and for the prayers offered during Ramadan, which carried us through our hardest days.”

READ: Protesters rally at Columbia University 1 year after detention of activist Mahmoud Khalil