Dallas Muslim Community Leader Detained by ICE, Wave of Anger in North Texas
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
A wave of grief and anger has swept through the Muslim community in Dallas after a well-known North Texas Muslim community leader, Marwan Marouf, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Marwan Marouf has been living in the United States for over three decades and has provided outstanding services to the community in North Dallas.
He is a key leader of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Dallas Chapterand has always been at the forefront of guiding youth, leading anti-drug campaigns, and serving the community. He founded the largest Boy Scout troop in North Dallas, launched awareness campaigns to educate youth about the dangers of drugs, volunteered with the Red Cross, and organized meal deliveries to hospitals and shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic. During severe winter storms, he was actively involved in assisting families in crisis, earning deep respect and becoming a symbol of selfless service and sacrifice in the community.
On Monday morning, while Marwan Marouf was on his way to work after dropping off his son at school, ICE agents stopped and detained him. Immediately after his arrest, he was handed a notice stating that his green card application had been denied. According to the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), the decision was based on old and misleading allegationsthat had been rejected years ago. MLFA stated that the ruling completely ignored facts and evidence and announced its plan to challenge the decision in both immigration and federal courts.
Following Marwan Marouf’s detention, a large gathering was held in Richardson under the auspices of MAS, attended by hundreds of men and women. Prominent Islamic scholar Imam Sheikh Omar Suleiman delivered an emotional speech, saying, “ICE has taken away the heart of our community.”He said he has known Marwan Marouf his entire life and that Marouf has always been there for the community, traveling for hours to attend every joyous and sorrowful occasion. Imam Omar recalled how, during the pandemic and winter storms, Marouf organized food distribution to hospitals and shelters and always carried himself with unmatched grace and compassion. He vowed that the community would fight tirelessly for Marouf’s release, saying, “That’s exactly what he would do for every one of us.”
MLFA Legal Director Marium Uddin stated that this case is not just about Marwan Marouf but about the constitutional rights of the entire Muslim community in the United States. She emphasized that this legal battle is being fought to ensure no one is targeted based on their religious beliefs or charitable activities.
This arrest comes in the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown, under which ICE has been detaining not only undocumented immigrants but also green card holders, visa holders, and individuals in the process of obtaining legal status. Many people have been apprehended during immigration interviews, and there is growing fear that certain statements or activities may now affect green card decisions.
A spokesperson for CAIR Texas said Marwan Marouf is a highly respected individual known in both Muslim and non-Muslim communities for his dedication and spirit of service. The spokesperson condemned the arrest, calling the allegations baseless and discriminatory, and asserted that Marouf was being targeted solely because of his faith and humanitarian work.
MAS Dallas also released a statement, describing the arrest as part of a broader campaign targeting Muslim, Palestinian, and immigrant communities, and urged people to collectively raise their voices against this injustice.
MLFA has announced that it will take this case to both immigration and federal courts to protect Marwan Marouf’s legal status, religious freedom, and fundamental human rights. Community leaders have stated that this is not just a fight for one individual but the beginning of a larger legal and moral battle to safeguard the rights of Muslims in America.
