Federal Judge Orders Release of Milwaukee Mosque Leader from ICE Custody

Sarsour, a legal permanent resident for over three decades, faced detention amid government allegations regarding his past. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Sarsour was convicted in an Israeli military court as a teenager for attacks involving Molotov cocktails, a charge he denies. DHS officials maintained that his detention was justified by his history and alleged support for extremist organizations, stating there is no constitutional right to fund terror or falsify immigration documents.

Legal counsel for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee argued that Sarsour was targeted specifically for his advocacy for Palestinian rights. During his months in custody, Sarsour’s health deteriorated; his attorneys reported he lost over 30 pounds while managing type 2 diabetes. While the judge ruled he should remain in Wisconsin as the legal case proceeds, the decision marks a significant setback for federal efforts to deport individuals based on political speech. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and other advocacy groups cheered the release, framing the court's decision as a necessary check on government overreach in an era of heightened scrutiny toward pro-Palestinian activism.