PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today reacted positively to the release of Leqaa Kordia after one year of derailment by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Today is a great day for justice. Leqaa Kordia has finally been released from ICE custody. My thoughts are with Leqaa, who has suffered a tremendous injustice at the hands of this administration. Her detention has been marred by cruelness, religious discrimination, and persecution. No one in the United States of America should suffer through the treatment she was forced to endure, said Congresswoman Pou.”

Pou continued: “I am also thinking about Leqaa’s mother, Hidaia, and our entire community in Paterson that has been waiting, fighting, and advocating tirelessly for Leqaa’s release. My office has been working, and will continue to work, closely on her case to ensure that Leqaa’s legal rights are respected and that she is given her full constitutional due process. Leqaa, your strength and courage is admirable—but make no mistake, this should have never happened.” 

On June 27, 2025,  a Magistrate Judge recommended she be released on bail.  Then,  on August 28, 2025, an Immigration Judge ordered her releasable on bond. At that hearing, DHS “conceded that Ms. Kordia had met her burden to prove her release would not pose a danger to the community . . . and declined to present any closing argument.” Yet ICE swiftly moved to block her release, forcing Leqaa to remain detained.

Congresswoman Pou has been pressing ICE for answers on Leqaa’s detention for months. In December, Congresswoman Pou and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim demanded Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons  immediately release Leqaa from ICE Custody. When Leqaa was hospitalized in February, Congresswoman Pou’s office sought answers from ICE on why they failed to inform her family or legal team on where she was taken and the status of her condition following reports she suffered a seizure under ICE custody. Last week, Congresswoman Pou again penned a letter seeking her release.

During a congressional hearing, Congresswoman Pou asked the Acting Director of ICE directly if the Department would provide information regarding Leqaa’s condition and if they would commit to freeing  her.  Since then Congresswoman Pou has been pressing the administration for clear answers.