An immigration judge ruled Wednesday that the U.S. can deport the Palestinian-born leader of Wisconsin’s largest mosque on the grounds that he is a foreign policy threat, while rejecting allegations that he lied on his green card application. Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, was detained in March by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
In June, a federal judge ordered Sarsour’s release, stating he raised a “substantial” claim that the Trump administration was targeting him for speaking out against Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights. Sarsour expressed disappointment with the recent ruling but stated his intention to appeal, vowing to continue fighting for free speech and his right to remain in the U.S., where he has lived for over three decades.
The government asserts that Sarsour’s decades-old terrorism convictions in Israel make him a national security threat in the U.S. and accuse him of misrepresenting this on his green card application. Immigration Judge Jayme Salinardi agreed with the threat assessment but dismissed the claim of deception.
Sarsour, born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was imprisoned in Israel in 1988 after confessing to throwing a Molotov cocktail and stones at Israeli military personnel. In 1995, he was convicted of attempting to hold weapons and ammunition. Sarsour denies these crimes, with his attorneys arguing he was tortured and coerced into confessing in both instances.
He has no criminal record in the U.S., where he has resided since 1993. His legal team maintains that U.S. authorities have been aware of his Israeli convictions since his arrival. Sarsour has stated that deportation to the West Bank would mean “the end of my life.” His attorney, Patrick Taurel, indicated that Sarsour’s prior treatment by Israeli authorities is a potential indicator of what he could face if deported.
Taurel contends that Sarsour is being unfairly targeted, warning that if his client can be deported for advocating Palestinian rights, others could face similar consequences. Court documents reveal that Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo in June 2025 suggesting Sarsour could be deported on similar grounds as Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, other advocates for Palestinian rights targeted by the Trump administration.
Before the judge's latest ruling, Sarsour's defense planned to argue that he would face torture if deported, a claim Taurel believes they could meet given Sarsour’s past experiences and Israel’s treatment of individuals in similar situations.
Sarsour’s former legal counsel in Israel testified that his client was coerced into confessing and was not convicted of charges related to a terrorist organization. His brother testified that Sarsour appeared unwell and complained of pain during his Israeli court appearances. Experts on forced confessions and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons also provided testimony in Sarsour's defense.
Questions were raised by Sarsour’s current defense team regarding the timing of his detention, as U.S. authorities reportedly knew about his Israeli convictions for decades. His attorneys argue he never concealed this information.
Israeli military courts have faced scrutiny over allegations of limited due process and high conviction rates for Palestinians, claims Israel denies. In June, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon ordered Sarsour released from detention, finding he might have a case arguing retaliation in violation of free speech rights and questioning why he was suddenly deemed a threat after years of legal residency. The Trump administration has appealed this release decision.
Sarsour, who has Type 2 diabetes, reportedly lost significant weight and experienced inadequate medical monitoring while in ICE detention, raising concerns about his health. Investigations have highlighted similar allegations of medical neglect in ICE detention facilities across the U.S.
Sarsour is among several individuals who have faced arrest and deportation threats in the U.S. for speaking out in favor of Palestinians since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.