A New Jersey Muslim leader testified during his own deportation trial Monday.

The U.S. rejected Imam Mohammad Qatanani?s bid for permanent U.S. residency, saying he failed to disclose on his green card application a 1993 arrest and conviction in Israel for being a Hamas member.

Qatanani testified that he never supported or assisted Hamas. He said he was detained and tortured for 30 days by Israeli soldiers. During that time, Qatanani said he was abused physically and mentally until a family attorney got him freed.

Qatanani has been the mosque leader of the Islamic Center in Paterson since 1996. Three of his six children were born in the United States.

A judge is expected to rule no later than the second week of September in the case.

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