Dallas Muslim leader hit with terror-related charges
Amid an immigration dispute, Marwan Marouf, a Dallas Muslim leader, was hit with new federal terrorism support charges related to decades-old donations, severely hindering his family’s effort to secure his release from detention on bond.
At a hearing earlier today, the federal government hit Marwan Marouf with new charges, including claims he supported a terrorist organization.
His family and legal team deny the claims and have filed a petition in federal court trying to get him out on board while the legal process plays out.
New Terror Support Charges
What we know:
Marwan Marouf, a leader with the Muslim American Society of Dallas and founder of North Texas’ largest boy scout troop, has been held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center near Abilene for 24 days.
Dallas Muslim community leader detained by ICE
An Islamic community leader in Dallas was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Monday morning, a decision his legal team is challenging in both immigration and federal court.
On Thursday, the fight to get him released on bond became more difficult. Federal officials charged him with overstaying his visa, plus, “This time they have said not only is he an arriving alien, not in possession of a valid visa, but he made various donations to HLF in 1994 and 2001,” said Marium Uddin, the legal director of the Muslim Legal Fund of America.
Decades-old charity donations block bond
HLF stands for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, a prominent Islamic charity based out of Richardson. That charity was shut down by the federal government in 2001, which accused it of supporting Hamas terrorists.
Marouf legally entered the United States as a student back in 1991 and was later sponsored on a work visa. He was detained by ICE agents last month, on the same day his application for a green card was denied.
His legal team has filed a petition in federal court, in an effort to get him released on bond.
Family denies claims
What they’re saying:
Marouf’s legal team denied any wrongdoing by their client.
“We received bad news in court today, and we are going to regroup, and we are going to move forward in federal court,” said civil rights lawyer, Lee Merritt.
Marouf’s eldest son, Malif, says the family is in turmoil.
“At every hearing, new charges are being added or amended. It feels like they’re trying to see what will stick. It’s incredibly stressful and hard to explain to my two younger siblings, to my mother,” said Malik.
The right-to-bond dispute in immigration cases
Local perspective:
David Coale is a constitutional law attorney not involved in this case. He offers his legal perspective.
“There’s a dispute going on about whether this gentleman should be here or not,” said Coale. “The Department of Homeland Security has taken the position in the last few months, through their highest internal court, that there’s not a right to do that. There’s not a right to post bond for certain types of disputes about immigration, and this gentleman falls in that category.”
Marouf’s family says he has a pacemaker, and they are concerned about his health.
They said these new charges mean he cannot be released on humanitarian aid, which is why they continue to fight for bond.
A hearing is set for October 23 for the government to make its argument for denying him bond.
The Source: Information in this article was provided from an ICE Immigration Hearing Presser on October 16, 2025.