Houston Immigration Court Orders Removal of Beloved Dallas Community Leader Over Alleged Terror Ties
A Texas immigration court judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader from Dallas, to Jordan, where he has citizenship. The decision comes after 60 days of detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and marks a devastating blow to Marouf's family, friends, and the community that has known him for decades.
Marouf, who has been the subject of intense scrutiny since his arrival in the US over two decades ago, was accused by the government of overstaying his visa. The allegations were later updated to claim he had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad. However, Marouf's lawyers have consistently denied these claims as false.
The court heard that Marouf, who has multiple life-threatening medical conditions, including Brugada syndrome, a serious heart condition marked by irregular rhythm that stress can worsen, had applied for voluntary departure from the US to avoid deportation and its potential impact on his health. However, his request was denied by Judge Abdias E. Tida, citing concerns about Marouf's alleged involvement in terrorist activity.
Tida found Marouf ineligible for all forms of voluntary departure, stating that even if he were eligible under the law, the court does not believe he merits it despite any positive qualities he has shown. The judge also denied a request from Marouf's legal team to compel the government to remove him as soon as possible.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from civil rights groups and community leaders, who argue that the case is an example of how immigration enforcement policies can be weaponized against innocent people. "Marwan's detention and removal represent a profound loss – not just for his family, but for the community he has served faithfully for over three decades," said Noor Wadi, a criminal defense lawyer and friend of Marouf.
The Justice for Marwan campaign, which has been fighting to secure Marouf's release, renewed its commitment to fighting for him and other community members facing immigration enforcement action. "We will not abandon our people," the group stated in a statement on Instagram. "Whether Marwan is in ICE prison or free in another country, we will continue to fight for him and for all those facing unjust exile and wrongful incarceration."
A Texas immigration court judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader from Dallas, to Jordan, where he has citizenship. The decision comes after 60 days of detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and marks a devastating blow to Marouf's family, friends, and the community that has known him for decades.
Marouf, who has been the subject of intense scrutiny since his arrival in the US over two decades ago, was accused by the government of overstaying his visa. The allegations were later updated to claim he had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad. However, Marouf's lawyers have consistently denied these claims as false.
The court heard that Marouf, who has multiple life-threatening medical conditions, including Brugada syndrome, a serious heart condition marked by irregular rhythm that stress can worsen, had applied for voluntary departure from the US to avoid deportation and its potential impact on his health. However, his request was denied by Judge Abdias E. Tida, citing concerns about Marouf's alleged involvement in terrorist activity.
Tida found Marouf ineligible for all forms of voluntary departure, stating that even if he were eligible under the law, the court does not believe he merits it despite any positive qualities he has shown. The judge also denied a request from Marouf's legal team to compel the government to remove him as soon as possible.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from civil rights groups and community leaders, who argue that the case is an example of how immigration enforcement policies can be weaponized against innocent people. "Marwan's detention and removal represent a profound loss – not just for his family, but for the community he has served faithfully for over three decades," said Noor Wadi, a criminal defense lawyer and friend of Marouf.
The Justice for Marwan campaign, which has been fighting to secure Marouf's release, renewed its commitment to fighting for him and other community members facing immigration enforcement action. "We will not abandon our people," the group stated in a statement on Instagram. "Whether Marwan is in ICE prison or free in another country, we will continue to fight for him and for all those facing unjust exile and wrongful incarceration."
his family and friends are literally falling apart and i'm just so sad for them he has life threatening conditions too can u imagine? 
brugada syndrome is no joke and now he's gonna have to deal with deportation and who knows what will happen to him in jordan? it's just not fair 
the justice for marwan campaign should def be more visible on social media we need to raise awareness about this case ASAP 
let's make some noise 
. 60 days in detention? That's like, a whole season of your life just gone! 
And to think he's being sent back to Jordan because of some visa thingy... it's all just so messed up 
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. Brugada syndrome? That's like, a heart attack waiting to happen 
. And now he's being threatened with deportation because of some government mistake? It's just not right 
. Like, isn't it enough that we have laws and stuff? Do we really need to be policing each other's personal lives too? 
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. Marwan deserves so much better than to be treated like this 
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what about all the good work he's done? 
his family and friends are devastated and rightfully so, this decision is a total betrayal of trust 
marwan shouldn't have to fight for his life over some minor visa issue 
gotta keep fighting for ppl like him and his fam 
this decision is super upsetting it seems like marwan is being punished for something he didn't do & his life is at risk over this 
meanwhile we got people here who are supposed to be helping us but instead they're just making lives worse 
he has like 2 life threatening medical conditions and the gov't still thinks he's a terrorist 
they need to rethink their immigration policies ASAP because this is just not right 
[Distracted Boyfriend] - but in this case, it's not a girl... 
Marwan's family is the one being torn apart 
, no need for drama 
and send him to Jordan. Not detention 
. This whole thing smells like #FalseAccusations 
