A Palestinian woman who was detained during Gaza war protests at Columbia University has been released after a year in immigration detention in Texas, her lawyers say.
Leqaa Kordia, 33, was among more than 100 demonstrators arrested outside the New York City college's campus in April 2024, but she was released.
She was arrested again in March 2025 during a routine immigration check-in. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said she had overstayed her student visa, which was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance.
Federal officials also launched an investigation into funds she sent overseas, which she said was for her family. She has not been charged with a crime.
Kordia's release came after an immigration judge found overwhelming evidence that she was truthful about the funds, and ordered her release on $100,000 bail. This decision followed a year of detention where she reported degrading conditions.
Kordia expressed her relief at being free, saying, I don't know what to say. I'm free! I'm free! Finally, after one year. Her family emphasized how the ordeal affected them all and thanked the community for their support during this challenging time.
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