Since arriving in the United States from the West Bank in 2016, Leqaa Kordia has been a lifeline for her family in Palestine, sending thousands of dollars to support them. These remittances, often pooled together with contributions from her mother and neighbors in Paterson, New Jersey, represent a common practice among immigrant families striving to assist loved ones in need. However, Kordia’s situation took a drastic turn when she was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2023, with the Trump administration alleging that her financial support for her family could be interpreted as support for Hamas.
Kordia’s mother, a naturalized U.S. citizen, expressed her distress in a court affidavit, stating, “It was quite upsetting to hear the government claim that any transfer of money to Palestine and/or Palestinians was inherently suspicious.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern among immigrant communities about the increasing scrutiny and suspicion directed at their financial transactions, particularly those involving family members in conflict zones.
Kordia’s arrest occurred shortly after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist, highlighting a pattern of targeting pro-Palestinian advocates. Despite two judges recommending her release, Kordia remains in custody at the Prairieland Detention Facility in Texas, where she has faced harsh conditions, including inadequate food options and a lack of basic hygiene. Her legal team has argued that the government’s claims of her being a potential Hamas supporter are unfounded, as there is no evidence linking her remittances to any terrorist activities.
In fact, Kordia’s remittances have been used for essential needs such as medical expenses, rent, and rebuilding after the destruction of homes during conflicts in Gaza. Her aunt, who fled to Cairo after her home was destroyed, detailed in an affidavit how Kordia’s support was critical in her time of need. This narrative of familial support is not just a personal story; it underscores the vital role that remittances play in the lives of many immigrants and their families abroad.
The government’s shifting arguments against Kordia have raised concerns about the motivations behind her detention. Initially, ICE claimed her participation in a pro-Palestinian protest indicated a threat to national security. When that argument faltered, they pivoted to her financial transactions, suggesting they were suspicious without providing concrete evidence. Sarah Sherman-Stokes, Kordia’s attorney and a professor at Boston University, noted, “What we’re seeing is that the Department [of Homeland Security] is throwing whatever they can at the wall and seeing what sticks.”
Kordia’s legal battle has revealed the complexities of immigration law and the often arbitrary nature of detention practices. The sole formal claim against her is that she overstayed her student visa, a situation exacerbated by her misunderstanding of her legal status following her mother’s family visa petition approval. The scrutiny she faces is emblematic of a broader trend where Middle Eastern immigrants are subjected to heightened surveillance and suspicion, a legacy of post-9/11 policies that have only intensified in recent years.
The legal proceedings surrounding Kordia’s case have also highlighted the challenges faced by immigrants in proving their innocence in a system that often operates on presumption of guilt. As her attorneys sought affidavits from family members to demonstrate the legitimate use of her remittances, they were forced to confront the uncomfortable question of proving a negative: “Can you prove to me that you’re not a terrorist?”
This situation reflects a troubling narrative where the act of sending money to family members in conflict zones is viewed with suspicion, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and perpetuating a climate of fear among immigrant communities. Naz Ahmad, co-director of the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility project at CUNY Law School, remarked on the pervasive anti-Palestinian sentiment that underlies such scrutiny, stating, “It is a testament to the entrenched nature of anti-Palestinian sentiment that the mere fact of sending remittances to family abroad was enough for DHS and the immigration appeals body to aver that Leqaa was supposedly a threat.”
As Kordia awaits her next court hearing, scheduled for October 23, she remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow her to reunite with her family in New Jersey. Having endured nearly six months in detention, she longs to return to her mother, from whom she has already been separated for nearly two decades. Kordia’s story is not just about her personal struggle; it is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by immigrant families navigating a complex and often hostile immigration system.
