Islam is not just a religion but also a political ideology. Sharia Law is incompatible with USA Constitution.
That is an important distinction. Imams and Mullahs are not simply asking to build a structure where they can freely worship, they are looking to change our constitution to a government of Sharia Law. The trick is to provide legal American citizens with the protections of the constitution that allow the practice of religion freely, without violating the rights of other Americans.
It is my opinion that Islam would have less influence if Americans weren’t leaving the Judeo/Christian roots of their founders in exchange for secular consumerism.