CAIR-NJ Welcomes Court Ruling Allowing Renowned NJ Palestinian Imam to Remain in U.S.

(NEWARK, NJ – 7/17/2025) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), a chapter of the Nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by a federal appeals court that the United States government cannot revoke the green card of a renowned New Jersey imam, a major win in a legal battle that has been unfolding for more than two decades.

Mohammed Qatanani, a well-known and long-time imam at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson, has been residing in the U.S. since 1996. The U.S. government tried to deport him after it missed the deadline to appeal his legal status. He was born in Palestine and applied for a green card in 1999 after arriving in the U.S. on a work visa.

SEE: NJ imam fought deportation and won. Here’s why it matters for millions of immigrants

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on July 15 that the Justice Department overstepped its authority.

“To permit an agency to expand its power in the face of a congressional limitation on its jurisdiction would be to grant to the agency power to override Congress,” Judge Arianna J. Freeman wrote in the opinion.

In a statement, CAIR-New Jersey said:

“CAIR‑New Jersey applauds the 3rd Circuit’s ruling affirming that lawful permanent residents are entitled to the due process that Congress enacted.

“This victory secures Imam Mohammed Qatanani’s stability for himself, his family, and the communities he has served for decades. It also reinforces a fundamental principle: federal agencies must operate within the boundaries our laws establish.

“Immigrants are the fabric of not just New Jersey’s diverse communities, but the entire nation is dependent on their valuable contributions and impactful achievements.

“No one agency should have the right to upend people’s lives. This ruling sends a powerful message that our legal system will protect religious leaders and immigrant families from overreach.”

The Islamic Center of Passaic County also issued a separate statement, which partially says:

“This long-awaited ruling represents a pivotal moment in Imam Qatanani’s decades-long legal struggle. It powerfully reaffirms what the Islamic Center of Passaic County-and the wider interfaith and civic communities—have always known: Imam Qatanani is a man of peace, unwavering faith, and lifelong service. He has dedicated himself to building bridges of understanding, compassion, and unity among all people. …

“While this decision is a significant and just victory-one that brings relief and renewed hope—we remain acutely aware that the legal journey may not yet be complete. The possibility of further appeal by the government remains, and we must stay vigilant and prepared for the challenges that may still lie ahead. The Islamic Center of Passaic County’s support for Imam Qatanani is unwavering. Our resolve is firm, our faith is strong, and our determination to see justice fully served remains steadfast.”

After his 2008 immigration court trial victory, Imam Qatanani recited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “The arc of history is long but bends towards justice.”

This ruling is evidence of that arc.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482

Photo credit: Mohammad Qatanani, the imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County. Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso courtesy of NorthJersey.com