Marwan Marouf, a prominent Muslim American Society leader and public relations director in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Sunday morning, September 22, 2025, immediately after dropping his young son off at school, sparking widespread condemnation from Muslim organizations and civil rights advocates across North Texas.
The arrest occurred despite Marouf being lawfully present in the United States, according to statements from the Muslim American Society (MAS) Dallas and the North Texas Islamic Council (NTIC), both organizations where Marouf served in leadership roles. The incident has generated significant concern within the Muslim community about targeted enforcement actions against community leaders.
Community Leaders Demand Answers and Support
"It is with heavy hearts that we share difficult news. Our beloved community member Marwan Marouf was arrested by ICE this morning, despite being lawfully present in the United States," stated MAS Dallas in an official statement released Sunday. The organization emphasized that Marouf had been "a source of guidance, compassion, and service to our community for decades".
The North Texas Islamic Council (NTIC) issued a formal press release on Monday, September 23, expressing "full solidarity with Mr. Marwan Marouf, a highly respected community leader and integral member of the North Texas Muslim community". NTIC President Mujeeb Kazi confirmed that the organization learned of the arrest through social media and immediately convened meetings with legal counsel, interfaith partners, and civic leaders.
According to NTIC's statement, Marouf was detained "while on his way to work after dropping off his young son at school". The timing and circumstances of the arrest have particularly distressed community members, who view it as an intimidation tactic targeting Muslim leadership.
Calls for Privacy and Strategic Response
Both organizations have urged community members to respect the family's privacy while coordinating support efforts. "We respectfully urge community members and the public to honor the family's privacy and refrain from speculation or sharing unverified information until official updates are provided," NTIC stated in its press release.
MAS Dallas called upon the community to "keep Marwan, his family, and our community in your prayers (du'ā)" while promising to share details about assistance efforts soon. The organization also requested that community members "offer emotional and spiritual support to one another, especially to those who may feel concerned or vulnerable in light of this situation".
NTIC has established coordination with legal counsel and coalition partners to monitor the situation and provide assistance. "Together with our coalition partners, we will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand ready to assist Mr. Marouf and his family," the organization stated.
Pattern of Targeted Enforcement Concerns
The arrest occurs amid heightened ICE enforcement activities across Texas, which have significantly impacted immigrant communities and businesses. According to the Texas Restaurant Association, 23 percent of its members lost employees in the second quarter of 2025 due to immigration enforcement, while many establishments reported revenue drops of up to 40 percent.
"This arrest is part of a broader pattern of targeting Muslim, Palestinian, and immigrant communities," MAS Dallas noted in its statement. The organization emphasized that such actions represent "injustice" that should "fuel our collective commitment to action: advocate, educate, and organize in solidarity, so that we uphold justice, human dignity, and safety in our communities".
The case bears similarities to other high-profile arrests of Muslim community leaders and activists, including the March 2025 detention of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. This Palestinian permanent resident led pro-Palestinian demonstrations. ICE officials reportedly told Khalil's attorney they were revoking both his student visa and green card without providing evidence of criminal activity.
Community Leadership and Recognition
Marouf has served as Public Relations and Fundraising Director for MAS Dallas, one of the region's most prominent Muslim organizations established in 2006. He also held the position of General Secretary on the North Texas Islamic Council's Board of Directors, which unites mosques, schools, and Muslim organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
In February 2024, the Richardson City Council presented Marouf with a proclamation recognizing his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he coordinated relief efforts involving more than 20 local organizations to support frontline workers. "Under the inspirational leadership of Marwan, the Public Relations Director of the Muslim American Society Islamic Center in Richardson, and with the collaboration of more than 20 local relief organizations and Islamic institutions... the community rose to the occasion," according to the official city proclamation.
Marouf also served on the board of the Texas Muslim Women's Foundation, demonstrating his commitment to community service across multiple organizations. His work included organizing interfaith initiatives and community outreach programs that built bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim communities throughout North Texas.
Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration has dramatically intensified immigration enforcement, with ICE setting a target of 3,000 daily arrests—ten times the average under the previous Biden administration. This escalation has created what community advocates describe as a climate of fear affecting not only undocumented immigrants but also lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens.
Recent cases involving Muslim community leaders have raised concerns about religious and political targeting. In Cincinnati, Imam Ayman Soliman, a hospital chaplain who had been granted asylum, was detained by ICE in August 2025 based on allegations of providing "material support" to militants through charity work in Egypt over a decade ago. Soliman's supporters describe him as "the interfaith imam" who served as the first Muslim on the pastoral care team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, arrested in March 2025 after her F-1 visa was revoked for writing a pro-Palestinian op-ed, has further heightened concerns about political targeting. Congressional representatives who visited Öztürk in detention described her and similar detainees as "political prisoners".
Community Resilience and Future Action
Despite the distressing circumstances, both MAS Dallas and NTIC emphasized the importance of maintaining community strength and solidarity. "Let us remain a source of strength and compassion for one another, supporting the family in ways that uphold their dignity and well-being while serving the greater good of their cause," MAS Dallas stated.
The organizations have committed to channeling "emotions and actions constructively toward this shared goal of securing Marwan's release from the unjust circumstances he is currently enduring". This coordinated response reflects the growing sophistication of Muslim American civil rights advocacy in responding to government overreach and community targeting.
As Marouf's case develops, it serves as a test of both legal protections for lawfully present immigrants and the broader Muslim American community's capacity to mobilize support for its leaders. The outcome may have significant implications for how immigration enforcement impacts community organizing and religious leadership nationwide.