In brief
Leqaa Kordia, detained for over 200 days in Texas, struggles to communicate crucial family news from Gaza amid the ongoing war. Her case highlights the broader targeting of pro-Palestinian activists under the Trump administration's immigration policies. With more than 170 relatives lost in the conflict, Kordia reflects on her motivations for protest and the repercussions of her activism, as legal battles continue over her detention and the accusations against her.
NEW YORK – Leqaa Kordia was only a child in the West Bank when her family was separated by Israeli restrictions, leading to bittersweet phone calls from Gaza. Today, she faces the harsh reality of a war that has claimed many of her loved ones, and at the same time, she finds herself detained in a Texas immigration center for over 200 days.
Now 32, Kordia expressed her feelings of helplessness during an interview from the detention facility where she has been held since March 2023. “Most days I feel helpless. I want to do something, but I can’t from here,” she lamented. As tensions escalated in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on Israel, Kordia took to the streets, advocating for her family and others caught in the crossfire of conflict.
Her detainment was part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protestors initiated during the Trump administration. Many activists associated with these protests have since been released, but Kordia's case remains largely overlooked. Unlike many of her peers, she has been unable to garner significant public attention or support, which has exacerbated her feelings of isolation.
Despite being a U.S. resident for several years, Kordia’s legal status became tenuous when her student visa was reportedly voided after she left school in 2022. She insists she believed her mother's application for her residency would ensure her legality. Kordia maintains that her protests were driven by personal connections and a desire to aid her family in Gaza, where over 170 relatives have died since the onset of violence.
Kordia’s case raises critical questions about immigration policy and the rights of non-citizens, particularly in light of a recent federal ruling that condemned the unlawful targeting of protestors. However, the complexities of Kordia's situation are compounded by a legal system where her fate remains uncertain.
""To hear the government accusing them of being terrorists and accusing you of sending money to terrorists, this is heartbreaking,” Kordia reflects, as she navigates the anxiety of her family back home, who fear for their safety.
Having spent significant time away from her family members, Kordia's dreams of a peaceful life in America are overshadowed by the current conflict and the challenges she faces in her fight for freedom.
As she awaits developments in her legal battle, Kordia remains hopeful that one day she will reunite with her family and find a place in America that appreciates her Palestinian heritage.
