New Jersey Governor Attends Mosque Led by Imam Accused of Hamas Ties

Mikie Sherrill visited the Islamic Center of Passaic County, where Imam Mohammad Qatanani has fought deportation for years over alleged ties to the Palestinian militant group.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 5:53am

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New Jersey Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill attended a Ramadan event at a Paterson mosque led by an Imam who fought deportation for years over alleged ties to Hamas. Sherrill posted photos of her visit to the Islamic Center of Passaic County on social media, wearing a hijab and taking selfies with the mosque's longtime leader, Imam Mohammad Qatanani.

Why it matters

The visit has raised questions about Sherrill's awareness of Qatanani's legal history, as federal authorities previously sought to deport him citing alleged ties to Hamas and claims he failed to disclose a prior detention in Israel. The case has highlighted the complex issues surrounding immigration, national security, and religious freedom.

The details

Qatanani, a Palestinian-born cleric, has been at the center of a decades-long immigration battle after federal authorities sought to deport him. An immigration judge ruled in Qatanani's favor in 2008, finding the government's evidence unreliable. Subsequent rulings over the years continued to favor him, and a federal appeals court ultimately blocked his deportation in 2025, ruling immigration officials acted improperly.

  • In the mid-2000s, the federal government moved to remove Qatanani from the US.
  • In 2008, an immigration judge ruled in Qatanani's favor.
  • In 2025, a federal appeals court blocked Qatanani's deportation.

The players

Mikie Sherrill

The Democratic Governor of New Jersey who attended the Ramadan event at the Islamic Center of Passaic County.

Mohammad Qatanani

The longtime leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, a Palestinian-born cleric who has been at the center of a decades-long immigration battle after federal authorities sought to deport him citing alleged ties to Hamas.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you to the Islamic Center of Passaic County for welcoming me to join their celebration as the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close. I wish our Muslim neighbors a safe, joyous, and peaceful Eid al-Fitr.”

— Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey

What’s next

It is unclear whether Sherrill was aware of Qatanani's legal history at the time of her visit. Fox News Digital has reached out to the governor's office for comment.

The takeaway

The visit has highlighted the complex issues surrounding immigration, national security, and religious freedom, as well as the ongoing legal battles over Qatanani's status in the United States.