Members of the North Texas Muslim community are grappling with shock and disbelief following the detention of Marwan Marouf by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday morning.
Marouf was arrested after he dropped his son off at school, and his sudden detention has left his family and community feeling anxious and uncertain.
His oldest son, Mohammed, expressed feelings of shock and frustration, emphasizing that there are no clear answers regarding his father’s situation.
‘The first reaction is just absolutely kind of shock, numb, not knowing what to think,’ Mohammed said. ‘There are no answers, especially with three younger siblings and the feeling of that responsibility and the unknown is very sudden and very swift.’
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) announced that ICE agents stopped Marouf early Monday morning while he was on his way to work.
According to a statement from MLFA, Marouf was handed a denial of his green card application on the same day he was detained— a decision reiterating prior findings from over ten years ago.
For over six years, MLFA’s Immigration Litigation Department has been representing Marouf in his battle for lawful permanent residence, and the group plans to challenge the recent ruling in both immigration and federal court.
Marouf has been a significant figure in the Dallas community since his arrival in the United States more than 30 years ago.
He has contributed extensively to charitable endeavors, founded the largest Boy Scout troop in North Dallas, and advocated for drug awareness campaigns for young people.
‘My dad has given his heart, his soul, his time, his everything for this community and not just the Dallas Muslim community but the Dallas Community as a whole,’ his son Mohammed reflected, lamenting his father’s unjust detainment.
Imam Omar Suleiman, the founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, described Marouf as the ‘heart of the community,’ condemning the intimidation tactics used by ICE.
‘If there was one person that would be described as the pillar of the Muslim community as it stands today in Dallas, it would be this man Marwan Marouf,’ Suleiman stated, adding, ‘Marwan is the heart of the community.’
In addition to his community work, Marouf is a Certified Disaster Relief First Responder and volunteers with the Red Cross.
MLFA elaborated that Marouf initially entered the U.S. as an international student and has been involved in the immigration process since the early 1990s.
For 15 years, his employer sponsored his temporary work and permanent residence applications until roadblocks emerged from USCIS.
The group noted that the issues with USCIS included mischaracterizations of Marouf’s charitable efforts.
After being detained, Marouf received a denial from USCIS, the contents of which contained recycled opinions from over a decade ago, demonstrating a lack of new consideration for his case.
MLFA condemned the denial process, describing it as lacking fundamental fairness and an injustice that they aim to correct through their legal actions.
Marouf is currently held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Anson, Texas, located about three hours from Dallas, according to the ICE Detainee Locator System.
On Tuesday morning, NBC 5 requested a statement from ICE regarding the circumstances of Marouf’s arrest.
Later that evening, members of the North Texas Muslim community gathered at the Muslim Association Society (MAS) Chapter of Dallas in Richardson to discuss Marouf’s detention and the next steps for his situation.
MAS released a statement highlighting Marouf as a source of support and guidance for the community, noting the profound impact of his absence.
‘Marwan has been a source of guidance, compassion, and service to our community for decades,’ the statement read. ‘His presence has uplifted countless individuals and families, and his absence is deeply felt.’
The broader Dallas Muslim community is concerned not only about Marouf’s well-being but also about the broader implications of his detention, as they express hopes for a just resolution to this case.
image source from：nbcdfw
