Thread: Mass. imam admits immigration fraud, will leave US

Mass. imam admits immigration fraud, will leave US
October 2, 2008
BOSTON—A local imam who pleaded guilty to immigration fraud charges has been sentenced to probation and will leave the country.

Muhammad Masood, the former spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of New England's mosque in Sharon, was sentenced Thursday in federal court. Judge Douglas Woodlock agreed to sentence him to three years probation, following a joint recommendation from his defense attorney and prosecutors.

Masood's lawyer, Norman Zalkind, said Masood had faced deportation proceedings but reached an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the United States on Friday and return to Pakistan.

Masood has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years. He admitted lying to immigration officials after he applied to become a permanent U.S. resident in 2002.

www.boston.com

Could he provide any more names before he leaves?

Over half the residents of Sharon are Jewish and the Islamic activists received a mixed response but the Jewish community came together and established a dialogue which caused the Islamic activists to decide to purchase and build there.