A US Immigration Judge Orders Removal of Beloved Dallas Community Leader, Marwan Marouf
In a shocking turn of events, a Houston-based immigration court judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader in Dallas, to Jordan. The decision comes after 60 days of detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and marks the end of Marouf's final merits hearing.
Marouf, who has been a fixture in the Dallas community for decades, was accused by the government of engaging in terrorist activity. However, his lawyers have consistently denied these claims, stating that they are false. Despite this, Judge Abdias E. Tida found Marouf ineligible for voluntary departure and deemed him not deserving of it, despite any positive qualities he has shown.
The case against Marouf began after the government denied his application for permanent residence just days after a convoy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles detained him on charges of overstaying his visa. The government later updated these allegations to claim that Marouf had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad.
Marouf's lawyers, family, and friends have consistently maintained that he is innocent of all charges. Noor Wadi, a friend of Marouf and co-leader of the Justice for Marwan campaign, stated that "we know without a doubt that Brother Marwan's case is winnable, truly, on the merits." She also emphasized the importance of prioritizing Marouf's physical well-being.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage among community leaders and activists, who have come together to fight for Marouf's release. The Justice for Marwan campaign has renewed its commitment to fighting for Marouf and other community members facing immigration enforcement action.
In a statement, Marium Uddin, lead counsel for the Muslim Legal Fund of America, said that Marouf had accepted a removal order "not as an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing but as a decision born of impossible circumstances imposed by a system that has failed him at every turn." She added that his decision is an "act of dignity" and "self-preservation."
The case has been described as a cautionary tale about the collapse of systems, the weaponization of legal processes, and the treatment of communities as suspect simply for existing. The removal of Marouf represents a profound loss not just for his family but for the community he has served faithfully for over three decades.
As the government agrees that Marouf should be removed to Jordan within the next two weeks, concerns about the impact of this decision on Marouf's health and well-being continue to mount. The Justice for Marwan campaign has vowed to fight on, ensuring that Marouf's story is not erased and that justice prevails.
In a shocking turn of events, a Houston-based immigration court judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader in Dallas, to Jordan. The decision comes after 60 days of detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and marks the end of Marouf's final merits hearing.
Marouf, who has been a fixture in the Dallas community for decades, was accused by the government of engaging in terrorist activity. However, his lawyers have consistently denied these claims, stating that they are false. Despite this, Judge Abdias E. Tida found Marouf ineligible for voluntary departure and deemed him not deserving of it, despite any positive qualities he has shown.
The case against Marouf began after the government denied his application for permanent residence just days after a convoy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles detained him on charges of overstaying his visa. The government later updated these allegations to claim that Marouf had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad.
Marouf's lawyers, family, and friends have consistently maintained that he is innocent of all charges. Noor Wadi, a friend of Marouf and co-leader of the Justice for Marwan campaign, stated that "we know without a doubt that Brother Marwan's case is winnable, truly, on the merits." She also emphasized the importance of prioritizing Marouf's physical well-being.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage among community leaders and activists, who have come together to fight for Marouf's release. The Justice for Marwan campaign has renewed its commitment to fighting for Marouf and other community members facing immigration enforcement action.
In a statement, Marium Uddin, lead counsel for the Muslim Legal Fund of America, said that Marouf had accepted a removal order "not as an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing but as a decision born of impossible circumstances imposed by a system that has failed him at every turn." She added that his decision is an "act of dignity" and "self-preservation."
The case has been described as a cautionary tale about the collapse of systems, the weaponization of legal processes, and the treatment of communities as suspect simply for existing. The removal of Marouf represents a profound loss not just for his family but for the community he has served faithfully for over three decades.
As the government agrees that Marouf should be removed to Jordan within the next two weeks, concerns about the impact of this decision on Marouf's health and well-being continue to mount. The Justice for Marwan campaign has vowed to fight on, ensuring that Marouf's story is not erased and that justice prevails.