Philenews

Palestinian Woman Detained in US After Losing Family in Gaza

Published February 10, 2026, 14:27
Palestinian Woman Detained in US After Losing Family in Gaza

A Palestinian woman, Leka Kordia, who has lost 175 relatives in Gaza, was hospitalized in the US after suffering a seizure while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Kordia, who is legally present in the US through her American citizen mother, was in the process of securing legal residency when she was detained. Her family and legal team have expressed concern for her health and the lack of information from authorities during her hospitalization. ICE assures that the woman received necessary medical care. The case has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which have reported inhumane conditions in ICE detention centers. Furthermore, Kordia was previously arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, which the government links to support for Hamas, a claim she and other protesters deny. Kordia grew up in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and her arrest relates to violations of immigration law.