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since Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:04:17.
Imam Masood's Deportation Hearing Postponed
Boston, MA — May 9, 2007– Boston immigration judge Robin Feder scheduled a full day deportation hearing for Imam Hafiz Muhammad Masood of the Sharon mosque on October 11, 2007 instead of the requested July date. Because Masood cannot work until the immigration matter is resolved, this five-month wait is a hardship.
The Boston-area chapter of the Muslim American Society ran a signature drive and fundraiser for Masood, his wife and eight children. The organization has raised approximately $13,000 on his behalf. Local clergy including Rabbi Barry Starr of Temple Israel in Sharon, Rev. Theodore Newcomb III of the Orthodox Congregational Church UCC in Mansfield, Rev. Horacio Da Valle of First Baptist Church, Mansfield, and Rev. Diane Teichert, of First Parish Unitarian Church, Canton have signed the petition and tried to help in other ways.
Two local bloggers, Martin Solomon of http://www.Solomonia.com and Mary O'Hayes of http://MissKelly.typepad.com, are leading an internet campaign to support deportation.
The deportation case is complex and relates to whether Masood departed the USA as required upon expiration of his student visa. An immigration attorney has provided a parking ticket issued to Masood's car during the period he was supposed to be outside of the country as evidence of illegal entry.
If Masood, his wife, and his five eldest children are deported, it will be very frightening for his three youngest children, who cannot stay in the USA alone even though they are US citizens. Masood has indicated he will apply for political asylum if immigration succeeds in obtaining a final deportation order.
The imam's brother, Hafiz Saeed Masood, is the founder of Lashkar-i-Tayibba, a Kashmir liberation movement, and Imam Masood and his family would be in danger in Pakistan if forced to return. Imam Masood has denounced his brother and has had no contact with him for a long time.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Masood, his son Hassan and 31 others on November 15, 2006 and held them for one week as a part of a multi-state immigration sweep. Most of the detainees came from states whose Muslim population tipped the 2006 elections to the Democrats.
Real estate developers in Sharon have expressed interest in the Islamic Society of New England's Sharon property.
