Federal Judge Orders Release of Milwaukee Mosque President from ICE Custody

Sarsour, a legal permanent resident who has lived in the United States for over three decades, faced detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since March. While the Department of Homeland Security maintains that his past conviction in an Israeli military court—alleging he threw Molotov cocktails as a teenager—justifies his status, his legal team and supporters argue he has been targeted for his advocacy. During his time in custody, Sarsour suffered health complications, reportedly losing over 30 pounds while managing type 2 diabetes.

Judge Hanlon, a Trump appointee, ordered that Sarsour remain in Wisconsin while the legal battle proceeds. The case highlights a widening friction between government attempts to curb pro-Palestinian speech and judicial protections regarding free expression. DHS officials continue to assert that the detention is a matter of immigration compliance and national security, claiming Sarsour provided false information on immigration forms. Conversely, organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations view the release as a necessary check on administrative overreach, maintaining that the government conflates political dissent with support for extremism.