One of two Lodi imams held on charges of overstaying his R-1 religious visa appeared in San Francisco immigration court, Friday June 24th.

And Shabbir Amhed’s testimony contained a non-immigration related bombshell. Ahmed admitted to giving several speeches in Pakistan in support of the Taliban in its fight against the U.S. in Afghanistan.[Muslim Cleric Says He Spoke Against the U.S., Rone Tempest and Robert Salladay, Los Angeles Times, June 25th]

But Ahmed claims that once he received his visa and moved to California—only a few months after his comments allegedly stirred up anti-American rioting in Pakistan—he “completely changed his mind about Americans.”

Ahmed noted that he now sees “respect for human life–even animals are taken care of here.“[Imam Admits Blasting U.S., , Dorthy Korber, Denny Walsh and Stephen Magagnini, Sacramento Bee,June 25th]

Immigration judge Anthony S. Murry consolidated Ahmed’s hearing with the other two immigration cases–against Mohammad Adil Khan and his son, Mohammad Hassan Adil.[Attorney Alleges Ties to Terror, Layla Bohm, Lodi News-Sentinel, June 25th]

The proceedings will continue in August.

I can’t help but comment that Amhed certainly had a remarkably rapid conversion from Islamic fundamentalism to his supposed pro-American sentiments.

I wonder if the threat of deportation has anything to do with Amhed’s new perspective.