Muslims call on Cox for detention aid

Alicia Robinson

Local Muslim leaders paid a visit to Rep. Chris Cox’s district office

Monday, hoping to enlist his help in ending what they believe is the

unfair detention of one of their own.

Family members and supporters of Wagdy Ghoneim, an imam at the

Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim, brought Cox a petition

with 1,000 signatures asking him to look into Ghoneim’s case.

Cox is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Many in the Muslim community, and others concerned about potential

government abuse of power, think increased vigilance by immigration

authorities in the name of homeland security is unfairly targeting

the Muslim community.

Ghoneim, 55, has been held since early November, when U.S.

immigration officials detained him because his visa was expired. His

family wants the court to allow him to post bond so he can return

home. A bond hearing in Ghoneim’s case was scheduled today in San

Pedro.

Family members said Ghoneim has not been released on bail despite

his health problems and even after FBI officials said he was not a

threat to national security.

“The community is very concerned about the imam’s case as well as

the detentions in general, where individuals are being held for

lengthy periods of time without knowing the charges against them,”

said Ra’id Faraj, public relations director for the Anaheim chapter

of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “There is a perception

in the community that there is selective targeting and enforcement,

and that is a widespread perception.”

Cox met with Ghoneim’s family Monday afternoon and vowed to look

into Ghoneim’s case to make sure rules are fairly applied. As to the

larger question of Muslims being targeted by overzealous immigration

enforcement, Cox said legal provisions in the recently passed

intelligence reform bill aim to protect everyone’s civil rights.

“If in fact this case or any other is an example of unfair

targeting of Muslims, then it is a violation of the established

policy of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of

Justice,” he said.

Muslim leaders were pleased with Cox’s response to Ghoneim’s

situation, said Ahmed Younis, national director of the Muslim Public

Affairs Council.

“We commend Congressman Cox for taking such great leadership,”

Younis said. “He really went over and above what they usually do in

situations like this.”

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.