Cleveland Imam Being Deported

After being convicted of lying about his links to Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations when he applied for U.S. citizenship in 1994, Fawaz Damra, 44, was sentenced to two months in prison and stripped of his citizenship. Damra's deportation will not need a hearing before an immigration judge since he now willingly accepts being booted from the U.S.

From Cleveland.com:

Fawaz Damra, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, agreed Thursday to a deportation order that will send him to one of four Middle Eastern countries or the Palestinian territories.

After Damra's first choice, Canada, rejected his request, the imam reached an agreement with the U.S. government to relocate to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Egypt or the Palestinian territories, said a spokesman for the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review.

I think it's interesting that Canada refused to accept him since the Canadians have historically been exceedingly tolerant towards followers of the religion of peace. Nonetheless, Ottawa's position is understandable. From what is generally known, there's reason to peg Damra as being way too cozy with terrorist organizations.

Companion post at In The Bullpen.