Dallas Community Leader Deported After Years of Advocacy Amid Immigration Court Ruling
A Houston-based immigration judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader from Dallas, to Jordan, citing terrorism charges. The ruling marks the 60th day of Marouf's detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and follows a lengthy hearing in which Judge Abdias E. Tida found him ineligible for voluntary departure due to government allegations of terrorist activity.
Marouf, who has been a fixture in the Dallas community for decades, was accused of overstaying his visa after receiving a notice to appear in immigration court just days after the government denied his application for permanent residence. The charges against him were later updated to claim he had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad.
Marouf's lawyers and family members have consistently denied all allegations, stating that they are "conjecture" with no basis in fact. Despite this, Judge Tida found Marouf's case to be ineligible for voluntary departure, citing the government's claims of his involvement in terrorist activity.
The decision has sparked outrage among community leaders and advocates, who argue that it represents a gross miscarriage of justice. "Marwan Marouf 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," said Marium Uddin, lead counsel for the Muslim Legal Fund of America.
The case has also highlighted the deep-seated issues in the US immigration system, which many argue is increasingly politicized and prone to abuse. "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 Uddin. "It is easy to say Marwan has lost America. But the truth cuts the other way: America has lost Marwan, and in doing so, has lost a piece of its own promise."
The Justice for Marwan campaign, which has been fighting for his release since his detention began, renewed its commitment to advocating on behalf of community members facing immigration enforcement action. "We will not abandon our people," the group stated. "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."
The government has agreed that Marouf should be removed to Jordan within two weeks, pending a final deportation hearing.
A Houston-based immigration judge has ordered the removal of Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim community leader from Dallas, to Jordan, citing terrorism charges. The ruling marks the 60th day of Marouf's detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center and follows a lengthy hearing in which Judge Abdias E. Tida found him ineligible for voluntary departure due to government allegations of terrorist activity.
Marouf, who has been a fixture in the Dallas community for decades, was accused of overstaying his visa after receiving a notice to appear in immigration court just days after the government denied his application for permanent residence. The charges against him were later updated to claim he had re-entered the country without a valid visa following a 2011 trip abroad.
Marouf's lawyers and family members have consistently denied all allegations, stating that they are "conjecture" with no basis in fact. Despite this, Judge Tida found Marouf's case to be ineligible for voluntary departure, citing the government's claims of his involvement in terrorist activity.
The decision has sparked outrage among community leaders and advocates, who argue that it represents a gross miscarriage of justice. "Marwan Marouf 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," said Marium Uddin, lead counsel for the Muslim Legal Fund of America.
The case has also highlighted the deep-seated issues in the US immigration system, which many argue is increasingly politicized and prone to abuse. "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 Uddin. "It is easy to say Marwan has lost America. But the truth cuts the other way: America has lost Marwan, and in doing so, has lost a piece of its own promise."
The Justice for Marwan campaign, which has been fighting for his release since his detention began, renewed its commitment to advocating on behalf of community members facing immigration enforcement action. "We will not abandon our people," the group stated. "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."
The government has agreed that Marouf should be removed to Jordan within two weeks, pending a final deportation hearing.
This is so unfair 
Marwan's been living in the US for decades and giving back to his community without any issues before these new charges come out of nowhere 
. It's like he's being punished for trying to build a life here 
. The system's gotta do better than this, ya feel?
marwan's been a good person in the community for ages and now he's being sent away because of some random terrorism charges 
i don't think it's right that the gov's just making up stuff to get rid of ppl they don't like. the fact that his case was ruled ineligible for voluntary departure is just ridiculous - that's a big deal, you know? 
This is so sad, I'm really worried about this guy... he's been doing some good in the community and it seems like they're just targeting him for no reason 
. The fact that his lawyers are saying all these allegations against him are just "conjecture" makes me think something fishy is going on 
. I don't understand how the system can be so broken - one minute he's a citizen, next he's being deported back to another country 
... what even is that? 
. Marwan Marouf has been advocating for his community for decades and this is the thanks he gets? 
. The gov't is always trying to create a narrative that justifies their actions, but sometimes they get caught up in their own rhetoric 
.
. It's like they're just trying to get rid of him because he's been speaking out against the system 
.
... this is exactly what happens when immigration policy becomes too politicized 
. We can't let our politicians play games with people's lives like this 
.
#JusticeForMarwan the fact that he's been living in the US for decades and is being targeted just because of his religion is just plain wrong 
. It's time for us to stand up and say this isn't right anymore 
but the system failed him 
marwan is a peaceful person who just wants to be with his family 
the usa immigration system needs major overhaul 
it's time for change and compassion 
it's crazy that someone as dedicated to their community as Marwan was could get caught up in something like this. I think the gov is really harshing out on people who are just trying to live their lives and help others, you know? Like, what even constitutes "terrorist activity" anymore? It feels like they're just picking on ppl because of their background or faith.
.
. This whole thing stinks, and I'm not buying the government's narrative one bit 
. I mean, Marwan's been living here for years, he's done nothing wrong... it's like they're trying to punish him for being a good person 
They're the ones who are really getting hurt here. It's just not right. The government's got to do better than this 
And now Marouf's facing deportation to Jordan - it's like, what even is he supposed to do there? 
The justice system in this country is supposed to be about fair treatment, not just following orders from on high. Marwan's case is definitely a miscarriage of justice. What do you think should happen next? Should there be an appeal or a review of the government's claims?