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August 13, 2014

Judge Steps Down in Immigration Fraud Trial of Chicago Arab-American Activist 
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A district judge has recused himself from the immigration fraud trial of
a Chicago Arab-American community activist. Rasmea Odeh is accused of
concealing her detention in an Israeli prison 40 years ago on bombing
charges. Odeh works as an associate director at the Arab American Action
Network, a Chicago-area group that works on behalf of new immigrants and
campaigns against anti-Arab discrimination. Odeh says her conviction was
obtained through torture. Her attorneys have called for the dismissal of
Judge Paul Borman, citing his lifelong ties to the Israeli government.
But this week, Borman announced he would step down after discovering his
family had financial ties to a supermarket Odeh was accused of bombing.

 

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