Reacting to news that Leqaa Kordia has been granted bond, and the Department of Homeland Security has released her from ICE custody, Justin Mazzola, Deputy Director of Research at Amnesty International USA, said:
“We are beyond delighted and relieved that Leqaa Kordia has been granted bond and released from arbitrary immigration detention. After spending a harrowing year in ICE custody, Leqaa can return to New Jersey to reunite with her family and loved ones – just in time for the end of Ramadan and start of Eid celebrations.
“But to be clear, Leqaa should not have been detained in the first place. Today is a powerful reminder that freedom of expression and peaceful protest are human rights – entitled to all. Most importantly, these rights cannot be negotiated or denied.
“There must now be justice for the breach of Leqaa’s rights. Leqaa’s detention, both unjust and politically motivated, was used by the Trump administration to continue its relentless assault on human rights and human dignity. Congress must hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for subjecting Leqaa to unlawful, inhumane detention for an entire year.
“While in custody, Leqaa continued to assert her resilience, agency, and right to be free from unlawful detention. We are inspired by her defiance and strength, and we will continue to monitor developments in her case until she gets the justice she deserves.”
Background
On March 13, which marked a year since Leqaa Kordia was first put in ICE custody, an immigration judge granted Leqaa bond. This was the third time that Leqaa had been granted bond. The Department of Homeland Security had until March 16 to invoke an automatic stay, which they had previously done so twice. On March 16, DHS did not invoke an automatic stay, and Leqaa was released from ICE custody.
Leqaa Kordia is a 33-year-old Muslim Palestinian women living in Paterson, New Jersey. She was detained by U.S. immigration authorities on March 13, 2025. At the time of her detention, Leqaa was in the process of securing legal residency in the United States. During a voluntary meeting with immigration officials at the Newark ICE Field Office, where she was accompanied by her attorney, Leqaa was immediately detained, despite being found to present a low risk to public safety, flight or criminal history. Leqaa was transferred to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas, which was located far from her attorney and family, and has documented history of human rights violations.
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