An immigration judge decided that federal authorities could deport the leader of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, citing national security concerns.
In June 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio used federal immigration law to determine that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, could be deported. Authorities argued his presence in the United States threatened foreign policy due to past convictions in Israel. These included incidents such as rock-throwing at Israeli military personnel and attempting to acquire weapons.
Government lawyers also alleged Sarsour had been convicted of throwing a Molotov cocktail at IDF personnel. However, Sarsour’s lawyer refuted this by stating he was never convicted for that specific offense.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson stated that Rubio had reasonable suspicions that Sarsour’s presence could harm U.S. foreign policy. They also mentioned his alleged terrorist activities or support for such organizations.
A 2001 FBI memo contained allegations from Jamil Sarsour, Salah’s brother, claiming Salah was involved in fundraising for the Holy Land Foundation on behalf of Hamas. Additionally, Jewish Insider reported that Sarsour posted on Facebook, praying for Gaza’s victory and implying punishment for those who wished harm on Gaza.
The Department of Homeland Security, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, conducted a targeted operation in Milwaukee to detain Salah Sarsour. The DHS referred to him as a criminal illegal alien from Jordan suspected of funding terrorist groups and lying on immigration forms.
A DHS spokesperson emphasized that under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, lawbreakers would face consequences, and criminal illegal aliens were unwelcome in the United States.
Sarsour, a lawful permanent resident, claimed political targeting by the Trump administration due to his advocacy concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict. He also alleged torture by Israeli authorities to extract a confession.
Sarsour has lived in the U.S. for 30 years, and his lawyers questioned the delay in government action if he posed a national security threat. He plans to appeal the deportation ruling, stating, “I will continue fighting to defend the right to free speech and to stay in the country I have called home for more than three decades.”
Lawyers for Sarsour did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
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