Leqaa Kordia is free now, after a year in ICE detention : NPR
In her own words, we hear the testimony of a young Palestinian woman from Paterson, New Jersey, who was released from ICE detention in Texas. She had been detained for more than a year.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Last week, Leqaa Kordia, a young Palestinian woman from Paterson, New Jersey, walked out of an ICE detention center in Texas after being held for more than a year.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
LEQAA KORDIA: I’m shaking, guys. (Arabic speaking). I’m going home.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
In 2024, Kordia was arrested while protesting outside Columbia University, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Kordia was released after the protests, but her arrest put her on the government’s radar.
DETROW: Kordia grew up in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and was applying for a green card through her mother, who is a U.S. citizen. The government accused her of overstaying her student visa and kept her in detention, although a judge twice ordered her release.
CHANG: Kordia’s health began to deteriorate (ph) and she had her very first seizure. Then, at his third hearing, the judge set bail at $100,000.
DETROW: And this time, the government didn’t appeal. On March 16, Kordia was free to return home. In her first interview since her release, she spoke to “Radio Diaries” about the events of that day.
(SOUNDBITE OF PODCAST, “RADIO NEWSPAPER”)
KORDIA: (speaking Arabic), everyone. It’s Leqaa Kordia, and it’s crazy. I’m actually holding a phone in my hand and recording. It was around 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. when the guard called me. She is like Kordia. I was like, what, what do you want? And she goes, pack your things. This word is actually scary in detention because doing your business means either you are going to be deported or that you are going to be transferred to another detention facility. In my case, packing your things meant you would be free.
And before I even left the dorm, the girls were clapping for me. I cried tears of joy. We kissed. I can say that they have regained hope. But at the same time, I will never feel free until they all are. (Arabic speaking).
The door finally opened and I breathed an air of freedom for the first time after a difficult and difficult year. I saw the sky with nothing between me and the sky – without handcuffs, without fences, without weapons. It was… I don’t know. It was a moment I would never forget.
I came here to my friend’s house. I took the longest shower I have ever taken in my entire life. I used all kinds of shampoos that my friend owns. And I looked at a real mirror. I cried a little. I keep reminding myself that yes, it’s real, you are free, yes, you are free.
Either way, tomorrow is going to be a long day. Early in the morning, I return to New Jersey. (Arabic speaking). I’m delighted to be back home. So good night.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Well, that’s it.
KORDIA: Very good. That’s it.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Home sweet home.
KORDIA: Oh, my God. Oh my God (laughs).
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
KORDIA: Oh, my God.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
DETROW: Leqaa Kordia returned to New Jersey on Saturday and was greeted by family, friends and a traditional Palestinian performance.
CHANG: Kordia’s lawyers say her green card application is still pending and she still faces deportation. Her lawyers and the judge say that because Palestinians are considered stateless, if Kordia is deported, she could be sent to Israel.
DETROW: This story was produced by Nellie Gillis of “Radio Diaries,” editing by Joe Richman, Deborah George and Ben Shapiro.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL ARTIST: (Singing in a language other than English).
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