President of Wisconsin’s largest mosque detained by US immigration agents | Wisconsin
The detention of the head of Wisconsin’s largest mosque by federal immigration officials has led to accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
Palestinian-born U.S. legal permanent resident Salah Sarsour was detained by nearly a dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after leaving his home in Milwaukee on Monday, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
Supporters called for his immediate release Thursday, and his lawyers said he was detained as a foreign policy threat. His lawyers say the allegations have no basis.
Instead, they believe Sarsour, 53, was targeted for speaking out against Israel and because of his underage conviction by Israeli military courts, which have come under scrutiny for allegations of high conviction rates and limited due process for Palestinians. Israel rejects these allegations. According to lawyer Munjed Ahmad, the crimes included throwing stones at Israeli officers.
“Our government should not carry out the orders of a foreign government,” Ahmed said of Israel. “There is no doubt in my mind that this is stifling the discourse on the Palestinian narrative.”
Sarsour, who was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has no criminal record in the United States, lawyers said.
Sarsour’s lawyers likened the case to that of former Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, who faces deportation because the federal government says he poses a threat to foreign policy.
An email message left with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security was not immediately returned Thursday.
Sarsour has been president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the largest Islamic organization in the state, for five years. His lawyers say he has had a green card for years and lives in the Milwaukee area. His wife and four adult children are US citizens.
His arrest sparked a backlash from top elected officials, including Milwaukee’s mayor, Cavalier Johnson, who called it a “disgrace.”
“He is a lawful permanent resident. There is no concrete evidence that he has done anything wrong,” Johnson said in a post on X. “This is yet another example of overreach and harm by U.S. Immigration officials.”
Sarsour is being held in the county jail outside Indianapolis. His lawyers petitioned for his release.
“He is ready to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the drugs do not get into the mud,” Ahmad said. “He wants to stay in this country”
