I am reaching out as your constituent to request your urgent intervention on behalf of Leqaa Kordia, a 32-year-old Palestinian woman and New Jersey resident who has been wrongfully detained by ICE under disturbing and politically motivated circumstances.

Your office promises to intervene when a constituent has an urgent issue with a federal agency—this is urgent. I am asking you to contact the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement immediately on my behalf.

Leqaa was arrested by ICE on March 13, 2025, after participating in a peaceful protest condemning the genocide in Gaza and mourning the death of over 100 of her family members. Although the arrest was officially for a minor visa lapse, it is clear that Leqaa is being punished for her speech and advocacy for Palestinian human rights. ICE lured her into a meeting near her home and forcibly transferred her 1,500 miles away to PrairieLand Detention Center in Texas, separating her from her family and community.

Since her detention, Leqaa has endured overcrowded cells, been forced to sleep on concrete floors, denied halal food and access to hijab, and was even prevented from fasting during Ramadan—severe violations of her rights and dignity. An immigration judge found no public safety risk and granted her release on bond in early April, yet DHS blocked her release using an obscure legal provision, continuing to hold her in defiance of due process.

As soon as you receive this message, please take the following actions on my behalf:

Call ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to:

1. Demand the immediate release of Leqaa Kordia in accordance with the immigration judge’s bond decision.

2. Drop the appeal and cease removal proceedings, which are being used as retaliatory punishment.

3. Condemn the use of immigration detention to silence political speech, especially speech in support of Palestine.

4. Address the violation of Leqaa’s First Amendment and religious rights, including denial of hijab, halal food, and worship.

Call the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and Congressional Oversight Committees to:

1. Launch an investigation into the politically motivated nature of Leqaa’s detention.

2. Hold DHS accountable for baseless public accusations without due process.

3. Ensure that ICE upholds humane standards and respects religious accommodations for all detainees.

Please take these actions immediately and keep me informed of any updates. If you would like a Zoom briefing to learn more, I will invite other constituents and do my best to join. You may also contact the Palestine Diaspora Movement at contact@palestinediasporamovement.com, and they will arrange for an expert to brief your office.

I look forward to your prompt response and to seeing Leqaa reunited with her family and community.