President of Wisconsin's largest mosque released from ICE detention

Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, has been released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after a federal judge ruled his detention might be unlawful. The judge cited a "substantial" First Amendment retaliation claim as a potential basis for Sarsour's release.

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Mr. Sarsour has raised a 'substantial' First Amendment (free speech) retaliation claim, which could render his detention unlawful.

Sarsour, 53, is a legal permanent resident who has lived in the US for over three decades and grew up in the West Bank. His detention began in March. His legal team stated he has type 2 diabetes and lost significant weight in detention. They also emphasized he has no criminal record in the US. His past conviction was in an Israeli military court as a teenager, before he moved to the US.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, pointed to Sarsour's conviction for throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli armed forces, a charge Sarsour denies. DHS stated, "There is no First Amendment right to fund terror organizations and lie on immigration forms." Sarsour has also denied supporting extremists.

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I will never stop speaking for Palestine and humanity, wherever I am.

Supporters, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, argued that Sarsour was being targeted due to his Palestinian and Muslim background and his advocacy for Palestinian rights. Following his release, Sarsour expressed relief and vowed to continue speaking for Palestine and humanity. The judge ordered Sarsour to remain in Wisconsin while his case proceeds.

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There is no First Amendment right to fund terror organizations and lie on immigration forms.