Press Release: Chicago Muslim Man Granted Citizenship after Five Year Delay

(CHICAGO, IL, 6/13/07) -The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today resolved a citizenship delay case that has been pending for the past five years.

Despite successfully passing his citizenship exam in 2002 and repeated interviews, CAIR-Chicago’s client was delayed naturalization pending a background check.

CAIR-Chicago’s client was personally sworn in by the presiding Northern Illinois District Federal Court judge instead of the usual group oath ceremony. The case was resolved before the upcoming June 22nd court hearing.

“Law abiding Muslims throughout the nation are facing unreasonable delays in being granted citizenship,” said CAIR-Chicago attorney Bitta Mostofi. “CAIR-Chicago will continue to advocate and represent individuals who have experienced these unnecessarily lengthy delays.”

CAIR-Chicago launched an ongoing class action complaint against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2005 seeking to place a cap on the amount of time allotted to conduct the background checks necessary for acquiring citizenship, and to prohibit discrimination based on religion in applying for citizenship.

CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to promote justice, enhance the understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims.

- END -

CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director (847) 971-3963 or (312) 212-1520 director@cairchicago.org; Reem Rahman, Communications Coordinator communications@cairchicago.org