This morning, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to attend a press conference at Paterson City Hall alongside Mayor Andre Sayegh and other community leaders to call for the release of Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman and long-time resident of Paterson who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado since March 13, 2025.
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Fri, Feb. 13, 2026, 11 AM
WHERE: Paterson City Hall, 155 Market St, Paterson, NJ
CONTACT: Selaedin Maksut Executive Director, CAIR-NJ, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414
Kordia has remained in ICE custody for nearly a year despite two immigration judges having ordered her release on bond, orders which federal authorities have challenged. Last week, she was hospitalized after fainting and suffering a seizure but was reportedly returned to detention shortly after receiving medical care — a situation that has alarmed her family, legal team, and civil rights advocates.
Her case has drawn national attention amid concerns about conditions in ICE detention facilities, and advocates maintain that she has been targeted for her participation in a 2024 protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where she lost many family members.
Speakers at Friday’s event will address the urgent need for Kordia’s immediate release, respect for judicial decisions, and the broader implications for civil liberties and human rights.
Speakers:
- Mayor Andre Sayegh, City of Paterson
- Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz, 35th Legislative District
- Councilman Ibrahim Omar, 6th Ward, City of Paterson
- Omar Farah, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates
- Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR New Jersey
- Representatives from the Palestinian American Community Center
- Representatives from the Islamic Center of Passaic County
- Representatives from American Muslims for Palestine
- Members of the Paterson City Council
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: Selaedin Maksut Executive Director, CAIR-NJ, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414