The Brief
Marwan Marouf, a leader in the Muslim American Society of Dallas, was hit with new civil court allegations, including claims he supported the now-defunct Holy Land Foundation (HLF).
The complaint, added to an existing visa overstay, makes it more difficult for Marouf, who has been detained for 24 days, to be released on bond or humanitarian aid.
Marouf’s family and legal team deny the accusations and are pursuing a petition in federal immigration court to challenge his detention and secure his release on bond.
At a hearing on Thursday, the federal government hit Marwan Marouf with a new civil court complaint, including claims he supported a terrorist organization.
His family and legal team deny the claims and have filed a petition in federal immigration court trying to get him out on board while the legal process plays out.
New Terror Support Allegations
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.
On Thursday, the fight to get him released on bond became more difficult. Federal immigration officials filed civil charges alleging he overstayed 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 legal representatives point out that he has not been charged with any federal crimes, and they said the government faces a much lower burden of proof in civil court. If this were a criminal matter, they said, the government would face a higher standard of probable cause to proceed with prosecution.
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 civil 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.