Immigration9/5/2026

Palestinian Asks U.S. Court to Halt His Deportation to the West Bank

Tarek Zakarna, 44, is seeking the right to remain in the United States, arguing that he faces a risk of persecution and settler violence in the West Bank. His previous attempts to appeal his deportation were rejected, and the source does not indicate whether a decision has been made on the new claim.

Key facts

•Tarek Zakarna, 44
•Entered the United States: 2013
•In immigration custody: since May 2024
•More than 1,430 incidents since the beginning of 2026
•The case number and court name were not specified

Why His Status Was Revoked

Zakarna entered the United States in 2013 on a student visa. He later married a U.S. citizen and obtained conditional permanent resident status. After the divorce, immigration authorities determined that he had not proven the marriage was entered into in good faith, revoked his status, and rejected his appeals.

A New Claim Against Deportation

Zakarna has been held in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility since May 2024. He now argues before the court that returning him to the West Bank would expose him to persecution, violence, and danger from settlers. The source does not specify the precise procedural grounds raised or whether the court issued a new decision.

Data on the Violence

According to United Nations data cited in the publication, more than 1,430 incidents of settler violence have been recorded in the West Bank since the beginning of 2026. The United Nations also reported the displacement of thousands of Palestinians due to a combination of violence, demolitions, and evictions.

Public Campaign

The organization “Portland for Palestine” and other pro-Palestinian activists are calling on local members of Congress to intervene and halt the deportation. They are holding a fundraiser and planning a mass demonstration in downtown Portland. The publication states that the deportation was scheduled for the coming Wednesday, but the exact date was not specified.

What this means for you

The article shows that the risk of persecution or violence following return may serve as a separate claim against deportation, even if immigration status has already been revoked. However, citing a worsening situation does not automatically halt deportation: in the case described, the outcome of the new request has not yet been reported. The source does not indicate any direct changes affecting Israeli residents.

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