Dallas Muslim Leader Detained by ICE After Green Card Denial
The case of Marwan Maroof sparks outrage among Muslim and immigrant rights groups, raising concerns of religious and charitable work being unfairly targeted.
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) announced that Marwan Maroof, one of the most prominent Muslim community leaders in Dallas, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 22, immediately after being informed that his green card application had been denied.
Maroof, who has lived in the United States for over 30 years, first arrived as an international student and remained under legal sponsorship through his employer. For more than 15 years, his employer filed temporary work permits and permanent residency applications on his behalf. However, according to his legal team, authorities began scrutinizing some of his charitable activities in recent years.
Sudden Arrest Without Prior Notice
The rights organization explained that Maroof was only informed of the denial at the moment of his arrest. ICE agents handed him a dated official notice of denial the same day he was taken into custody—while he was returning home from dropping off his son at school.
A Community Leader and Volunteer
Maroof is widely recognized for his community service. He helped establish the largest Boy Scouts troop in Circle 10 region of North Dallas, campaigned against youth drug abuse, and regularly volunteered with the Red Cross as a certified disaster relief medic. He also served as Director of Public Relations and Fundraising at the American Islamic Association – Dallas branch.
Outrage and Solidarity
His detention has triggered strong reactions. The American Islamic Association condemned the move as part of “a broader pattern targeting Muslims, Palestinians, and immigrant communities,” calling for solidarity in defense of justice and human dignity.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR – Texas) described Maroof as “a family man and committed citizen rooted in civic and charitable values.” The group demanded transparency, questioning “what specific charges he faces and why he is being denied due process,” while calling the detention “an unjust act based on religion and charitable work.”
Official Responses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through an official spokesperson, reaffirmed that the Trump administration is “committed to carrying out President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s directives to enforce the broadest deportation campaign targeting illegal immigrants and offenders.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott posted on X that the state “fully supports ICE,” adding that the recent Dallas incident “will not slow down detention and deportation efforts.”
Ongoing Legal Battle
Maroof is currently being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center, about three hours from Dallas. The MLFA pledged to continue defending his case before immigration and federal courts, vowing to use all available legal avenues to secure his rights and freedom.
