Thread: U.S. to deport Muslim leader, son; charges will be dropped

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U.S. to deport Muslim leader, son; charges will be dropped

Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published July 17, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- A Muslim religious leader and his son, who were arrested during an investigation of terrorist activity last month in Lodi, agreed Friday to be deported in exchange for the government dropping charges that the two men misrepresented themselves when entering the country.

Imam Mohammed Adil Khan, 47, and his son Mohammed Hassan Adil, 19, conceded in federal immigration court that they overstayed their religious worker visas. They probably will be sent back to Pakistan within two weeks, said their attorney, Saad Ahmad, after the brief afternoon proceeding.

Ahmad vehemently denied that his clients had anything to do with terrorism.

However, U.S. immigration authorities said the deportation agreement was part of an ongoing government strategy of using civil and administrative proceedings to remove people perceived to be a threat to the country.

Adios.