Worshippers at the Clifton Mosque in Cincinnati, Ohio, are in shock after their imam, Egyptian-born Ayman Soliman, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Soliman, who was granted asylum in 2018, had his legal status revoked just weeks before his arrest, ending a protection he had held for more than seven years. His detention has caused outrage, fear, and confusion in the community, with many people questioning whether the process was fair or transparent.
According to The Guardian, Soliman’s lawyers say that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) claims he gave “material support” to a “Tier III” terrorist group, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, because of his work with Al-Gameya al-Shareya, a well-known charity in Egypt. “Tier III” refers to groups that are not officially labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. Department of State but can still be treated as such by an asylum officer in individual cases.
