Leqaa Kordia, 33, was freed Monday from a Texas detention center after spending more than 13 months in custody without criminal charges. The Palestinian-American activist was arrested during 2024 Columbia University protests and detained by ICE in March 2025. Her release follows repeated judicial orders overturned by government appeals, highlighting systemic delays in immigration proceedings.

Kordia described deplorable conditions at the Prairieland Detention Center, including unsanitary environments and being restrained during a medical emergency. On Friday, an immigration judge approved her $100,000 bond—the third release order issued this year. Despite legal victories, ICE’s appeals forced her to remain imprisoned until Monday’s final decision.

The case underscores broader debates about detention practices for non-criminal immigrants. Kordia’s attorney called the conditions “medically dangerous”, citing her deteriorating health during prolonged confinement. Her release coincides with ongoing congressional investigations into ICE’s handling of asylum seekers and protesters.

This development follows similar cases where courts have criticized ICE’s detention policies. While Kordia’s fate is resolved, thousands of immigrants await similar rulings. The Columbia University protests that sparked her arrest remain a flashpoint for campus free speech debates.