NYPD faces backlash for sharing sealed records of Palestinian woman with ICE
- An investigation by the NYPD is underway to determine if they improperly communicated details of a sealed arrest to immigration officials.
- Leqaa Kordia was detained after her involvement in a protest, and the records shared included sensitive personal information despite her charges being dismissed and sealed.
- The situation raises concerns about immigrant protections due to potential policy violations by the NYPD in reviewing federal law enforcement requests.
In New York City, police officials opened an investigation related to a Palestinian woman whose sealed arrest records were shared with federal immigration authorities. This incident occurred after Leqaa Kordia, a 32-year-old resident of New Jersey, was detained following a protest on March 13, 2024, against the war in Gaza. Kordia was arrested for disorderly conduct during the protest outside Columbia University, an arrest that led to a summons that was subsequently dismissed and sealed. Despite this, the NYPD's information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security included sensitive details about Kordia's arrest, which is raising significant concerns regarding adherence to city sanctuary laws. Kordia's detention is part of a larger crackdown by federal authorities on individuals associated with protests, particularly those against perceived injustices related to the situation in Gaza. The information was reportedly transmitted under the pretext of a request related to a money laundering investigation, though Kordia's attorney has denied any connection to such allegations. The investigation launched by the NYPD examines how a sealed arrest record was provided under the circumstances and the legal implications of this action within the context of existing laws that aim to protect immigrants from unjust civil immigration enforcement. The police department's cooperation with federal immigration agencies is historically controversial, especially in light of New York City's commitment to acting as a sanctuary city. As the case unfolds, questions regarding privacy, policy violation, and the potential consequences for Kordia continue to dominate discussions among legal advocates and local community members. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding local law enforcement's interaction with federal immigration authorities, drawing scrutiny to policies that prioritize immigrant protections amidst a politically charged environment.