BOISE, Idaho, 27 April 2003 — An immigration judge decided on Friday that a University of Idaho graduate student allegedly linked to radical elements can legally be deported.
Sami Omar Al-Hussayen, 35, violated the terms of his student visa by accepting pay to create Internet pages for groups including the Islamic Assembly of North America, Judge Anna Ho ruled. But Al-Hussayen, a Saudi national, will remain in custody pending a possible appeal.
Al-Hussayen faces both immigration counts and federal charges related to alleged links to extremists. He was arrested on Feb. 26 at his home and charged with visa fraud and making false statements on visa applications to attend the university for computer studies.
Authorities contend his enrollment at the school was a cover for his work with the Islamic Assembly of North America, whose offices were also raided by the FBI that day.
The name of its president, Muhammad Al-Ahmari, was on a list of people the FBI said it wanted to question in connection with the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Federal prosecutors say Al-Hussayen funneled $300,000 to the Islamic Assembly and tapped into sensitive material through the university’s computer.
During Friday’s hearing, Al-Hussayen was asked if he had contact with Abdullah Al-Kidd, a former football player at the university whom authorities said is a material witness in its investigation of an alleged terrorist cell in Moscow.
Al-Hussayen invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination for all the questions.
Defense attorney David Nevin likened the questioning to “coercion,” and said Al-Hussayen would testify when it’s appropriate.
