Leqaa Kordia

Leqaa Kordia is a 33-year-old Palestinian activist who was recently released from ICE detention after being held for a year. She was arrested in April 2024 during pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University against Israel's war on Gaza. Kordia, originally from the occupied West Bank and a resident of New Jersey, had been in the US since 2016. Her detention became a focal point for rights groups and community leaders, who denounced her treatment and the circumstances of her arrest. News reports indicate she was the last protester connected to the Columbia University anti-genocide protests still held by US immigration authorities. During her detention, Kordia experienced health issues, including a seizure, and her family reported difficulties in obtaining information about her condition. Since her release, Kordia has spoken out about the 'dehumanizing' conditions of ICE detention, drawing parallels to life in occupied Palestine and vowing to continue fighting for her cause.