Overview
- Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian former Columbia University protester, has spent more than 300 days at the Prairieland ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas after a March 2025 arrest during a routine immigration check‑in.
- Texas Democratic lawmakers, her attorney and family held a Friday news conference outside the facility urging her release and describing conditions inside as inhumane.
- Her attorney says an immigration judge granted bond twice and confirms the ruling is under appeal, which has prevented her release pending the court’s decision.
- DHS has previously alleged ties to Hamas and a student‑visa overstay, claims her legal team disputes while noting protest‑related arrests were dismissed.
- Rep. Salman Bhojani says he was denied a scheduled visit, and her lawyers report a separate approved visit was canceled over rumored protests as ICE warned gatherings can disrupt detainee access.