MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Yesterday, Leqaa Kordia filed a habeas corpus petition requesting her release from a Texas immigration detention facility where she is confined in violation of federal law and despite a grant of release on bond by an immigration judge.
Ms. Kordia is a New Jersey resident of Palestinian origin and a practicing Muslim who is in the United States after entering on a B-2 tourist visa. Just as it has done to others who have dared to raise their voice, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took her into custody and immediately transferred her far away from her family and community, for exercising her freedom of speech and expression in support of Palestinian lives. In ICE custody, she has suffered deprivations of religious liberty including persistent refusals to accommodate her ability to pray according to her faith and to observe a halal diet, severely impacting her physical and spiritual health. She is represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), Muslim Advocates, the CLEAR project, and Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel.
“We are proud to stand with Ms. Kordia and seek every possible option to secure her release. Immigration authorities targeted and selectively prosecuted her and there is no justification for her continued detention, even after an immigration judge ruled that she should be released,” said Arthur Ago, director of strategic litigation, SPLC. “Using immigration law as a pretext to target individuals for exercising their freedom of expression is inconsistent with our Constitution and the values of our country. We will continue to defend those values and the promise of an America where the rule of law prevails.”
“Ms. Kordia’s detention is a prime example of the attack on the First Amendment and the attempted erosion of due process that we are seeing across the United States at this moment. If the First Amendment means anything, it means that the government cannot throw you in detention because the government does not like your speech. Freedom of Speech doesn’t apply to a select few, but to all of us. The Texas Civil Rights Project is proud to stand with Ms. Kordia as we defend her constitutional rights,” said Travis Fife, staff attorney, Texas Civil Rights Project.
“Ms. Kordia’s confinement over 1,500 miles from her family and community under debilitating and discriminatory conditions reflects the retaliatory cruelty the administration is weaponizing against people supporting Palestinian lives and freedom. The First Amendment protects Ms. Kordia and all people nationwide, and we’re committed to fighting alongside her for her release and reunion with loved ones and community from whom she’s been unlawfully separated,” said Golnaz Fakhimi, legal director, Muslim Advocates.
“At every step of the way, ICE’s actions towards Ms. Kordia of investigating her, detaining her, transferring her far away from her family, seeking a stay of a grant of bond, claiming she is a danger to the community for sending money to a family member, all clearly show that the federal government is singling her out because of her speech in support of Palestinians, including those of her family members that have died. We hope to see Ms. Kordia reunited with her family soon,” said Naz Ahmad, Co-director, CLEAR project.
At a hearing held on April 3, 2025, the immigration judge granted Ms. Kordia’s request for a bond at $20,000. DHS appealed the judge’s order granting bond and, as a result, Ms. Kordia remains confined.
The SPLC legal team is available for interviews in English, Arabic and Spanish. To request an interview, please email [email protected].
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.