An immigration judge ordered the deportation of Salah Sarsour, the leader of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, on national security grounds. Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is facing deportation after Secretary of State Marco Rubio applied federal immigration law citing potential foreign policy consequences.
Federal authorities argued that Sarsour’s past convictions in Israel, including incidents involving Israeli military personnel, pose a threat to national security. Although government lawyers claimed he had been charged with using a Molotov cocktail against IDF personnel, Sarsour’s lawyer clarified he had not been convicted for that specific accusation.
Islamic Society of Milwaukee President Salah Sarsour was released from a county jail in Indiana after being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. (Yaseen Najeeb via AP)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressed concerns about potential adverse foreign policy outcomes due to Sarsour’s presence. They outlined allegations of his support for a terrorist organization, referencing a 2001 FBI memorandum that detailed claims by Sarsour’s brother regarding fundraising for Hamas.
Reports from Jewish Insider noted that Sarsour authored a Facebook post asking for victory for Gaza, which included language that could be interpreted as invoking harm on Gaza’s adversaries.
According to DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Sarsour in a targeted operation in Milwaukee. Homeland Security stated that criminal illegal aliens are not welcome, emphasizing consequences for legal breaches.
Sarsour contends that the legal actions are politically motivated, linked to his advocacy concerning the Israel-Gaza situation. He argues that he was coerced into confessions by Israeli authorities.
Despite residing in the United States for over 30 years, Sarsour plans to appeal the deportation ruling. He emphasizes his commitment to defending free speech rights and remaining in the U.S.
Sarsour vowed, “I will continue fighting to stay in the country I have called home for more than three decades.”
Lawyers representing Sarsour have not commented on the matter.
Lisdoonvarna’s Matchmaking Festival: Tradition Meets Modern Romance 
Bolivia Faces Security Challenge Amid Shield of the Americas Initiative 
Escalating Conflict: Russian Drones Target Kyiv Amid Winter Strategy 
Incident on FlyDubai Flight Involving Co-pilot Raises Concerns 
Journalist Evan Gershkovich Discusses His Arrest in Russia 
Pakistan’s Airstrikes in Afghanistan Spark Outrage and Debate