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Muslim linked to terrorists avoids deportation

By The Associated Press
Monday, November 21, 2005


CLEVELAND -- Immigration officials say they are trying to deport a Muslim religious leader convicted of lying about ties to terrorist groups but it's a difficult process.
Imam Fawaz Damra, of Strongsville in suburban Cleveland, was convicted in June 2004 of concealing ties to three groups that the U.S. government classifies as terrorist organizations when he applied for U.S. citizenship in 1994. That conviction was upheld in March, clearing the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to begin deportation proceedings.

"Unfortunately, immigration law is extremely complicated," said Brian Moskowitz, special agent with the federal office in Detroit, which is handling the case. "Things are not always as simple as they appear."

Once an immigrant legally has lived five years in the United States, a crime such as Damra's requires a second offense to warrant deportation. Damra, who immigrated to the United States in the mid-1980s, has been convicted of one offense.

"There's no doubt I would do everything in my power to remove someone who is a threat," said Moskowitz, adding that his office is carefully reviewing the case to make sure it doesn't have loopholes.

A message was left yesterday seeking comment from Damra's immigration attorney, David Leopold.

In Damra's trial last year, prosecutors showed video footage of Damra and other Islamic leaders raising money for an arm of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has been listed as a major terrorist group by the State Department since 1989.

Jurors also were shown footage in which Damra called Jews "the sons of monkeys and pigs" during a 1991 speech and said "terrorism and terrorism alone is the path to liberation" in a 1989 speech.

Palestinian-born Damra, 44, still has strong support within the Islamic Center of Cleveland, where he is the imam, or spiritual leader, but among Muslims and non-Muslims alike, he is a controversial figure.

"There are still folks in the Muslim community who do not want to give him a second chance, and that's sad," said Walid Dardir, a mosque member. "He's paid his debt. He's willing to be a good leader. Let's embrace him."

Dardir once called for Damra to leave the mosque, but he has since softened his view on the issue.

Damra garnered 70 percent of the mosque's support during a no-confidence vote before his trial. A new board of trustees there chose to keep him on in September as well.

Some politicians and religious leaders who regularly attended the mosque's annual interfaith dinner stayed clear while Damra was in the midst of his trial. This year, several ministers, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, state Sen. Dan Brady and Cleveland Mayor-elect Frank Jackson returned.