The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed support for the introduction of Resolution 25:605, which calls for the immediate release of Leqaa Kordia from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after nearly 300 days in unjust detention.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilmen Luis Velez and Ibrahim Omar, also urges the Department of Homeland Security to end retaliatory detention practices that infringe upon First Amendment rights.
Kordia is currently the last protester who remains detained following demonstrations at Columbia University earlier this year. Ahead of the Paterson city council’s meeting Tuesday night, CAIR- New Jersey is urging city officials to pass the resolution and expend all efforts to bring her back home to her family.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Paterson is taking an important stand for civil rights and the protection of constitutional freedoms. Retaliatory detention against individuals exercising their First Amendment rights is unacceptable. We support the City Council’s resolution and call on federal authorities to immediately release Ms. Kordia and end practices that punish lawful political expression. Standing with Palestinian justice and human rights is not a crime, and no one should be detained for advocating peacefully for the lives and rights of their family and community.”
Kordia, a 32-year-old longtime member of Paterson’s immigrant community, was detained by ICE on March 13, 2025, following her participation in peaceful protests at Columbia University condemning the US-backed Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, which claimed the lives of nearly 200 of her family members.
Despite bond grants by an immigration judge, ICE used a rarely invoked “automatic stay” to block Kordia’s release, leaving her confined for nearly 280 days far from her family, community, and legal support.
ICE’s actions in this case reflect a broader trend of using immigration detention to suppress free speech and political activism, particularly for individuals advocating for Palestinian justice. Advocates and legal experts have warned that this use of detention as retaliation undermines due process and sets a dangerous precedent for silencing lawful dissent in the United States.
CAIR-NJ has been advocating for Kordia’s release alongside her legal and advocacy teams and continues to urge elected officials at the state, federal and municipal levels to publicly support her release and defend the right to peaceful protest.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482