Leqaa Kordia spent a year locked in a Texas immigration detention center after being arrested at a pro-Palestine protest. Now free, she is speaking publicly for the first time about what she witnessed behind bars—and what she sees as striking similarities to life under Israeli occupation.
In an interview with the Guardian, Kordia described detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a "human tragedy." The experience has convinced her that documenting conditions in American immigration facilities is now part of her responsibility as an activist.
"I see a lot of similarities," Kordia said of the treatment of detained immigrants compared to Palestinians living under occupation. The comparison reflects her view that systemic deprivation of freedom and dignity operates across different contexts and borders.
Kordia's detention began following her arrest at a Gaza war protest. Even as she remains committed to advocating for Palestinian rights, she has broadened her focus to include the experiences of others trapped in the U.S. immigration system.
The case highlights how immigration enforcement can intersect with political activism, particularly for immigrants from regions experiencing conflict. Kordia's willingness to speak out publicly—a first since her release last month—signals her determination to keep attention on what occurs in detention facilities that often operate far from public scrutiny.
Her account adds a firsthand voice to ongoing debates about conditions within ICE custody, where thousands of immigrants are held at any given time, often with limited legal representation or public oversight.
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