Reacting to news that Leqaa Kordia was hospitalized while in ICE detention, Justin Mazzola, Deputy Director of Research at Amnesty International USA, said:
“It is alarming that Leqaa’s medical condition has deteriorated significantly while in ICE detention. Not only have ICE officials neglected Leqaa’s health, but they failed to update her lawyers and family on her health status and whereabouts following her hospitalization. This blatant disregard of Leqaa’s human rights while in custody is appalling. It is yet another example of the real harm caused by the Trump administration’s relentless assault on rule of law and human rights.
“Inside the ICE facility, Leqaa has been subjected to overcrowded, inhumane conditions and has been denied religious accommodation. We demand an immediate end to this brazen breach of her rights. ICE has an obligation to care for Leqaa’s health, and also to keep her legal team and family informed of her health conditions and needs at all times.
“Leqaa should never have been detained in the first place. She has been arbitrarily detained for over ten months for exercising her rights to free speech and protest. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights – they cannot be punished or criminalized. The Trump administration must stop playing cruel political games with Leqaa’s life. Leqaa Kordia must be immediately released, and there must be accountability for the flagrant violation of her human rights.”
Background
Leqaa Kordia is a 33-year-old Muslim Palestinian woman living in the United States. Since 2023, Ms. Kordia has actively participated in several protests in New Jersey and nearby areas, advocating against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. She has lost approximately 175 family members in Gaza since the genocide began.
At the time of her detention, Ms. Kordia was in the process of obtaining legal permanent 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. She was transferred to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas. This facility is located far from her attorney and family, and it has a documented history of human rights violations.
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