2nd Circuit: Muslim Scholar Gets Chance To Challenge Visa Denial

A Muslim scholar who was prevented from accepting a tenured position at Notre Dame University when his visa was revoked will have his day in court after all. Swiss-based Tariq Ramadan was barred from the U.S. after he disclosed in an interview that he had donated $1,336 to the Association de Secours Palestinien, a group which directed funds to Hamas. In American Academy of Religion v. Napolitano, (2d Cir., July 17, 2009), the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the case so the trial court could decide whether consular officials gave Ramadan a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he did not know, and could not reasonably have known, that ASP channeled funds to Hamas. New York Law Journal gives more details on the case. (See prior related posting.)