Topic overview
In brief
- Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian mosque leader in Wisconsin, is fighting deportation efforts based on past Israeli convictions.
- His former attorney testified that Sarsour was coerced into confessions and was tortured in Israeli custody.
- The case raises concerns about the treatment of individuals advocating for Palestinian rights in the U.S.
Summary
In the United States, Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian legal permanent resident and leader of Wisconsin's largest mosque, is currently facing deportation efforts initiated by the Trump administration. This situation stems from his past convictions in Israel during the 1980s and 1990s, which the Department of Homeland Security claims make him a foreign policy threat. Sarsour was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at his Milwaukee home in late March 2026, and after a judge found insufficient grounds for his deportation, he was released from ICE detention in June 2026. His case has drawn attention due to allegations of human rights abuses in Israel, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. During a recent immigration court hearing, Sarsour's former attorney, Jawad Boulos, testified that Sarsour was tortured and coerced into making confessions while in Israeli custody. Boulos emphasized that Sarsour was never convicted of any charges linking him to a terrorist organization, despite being convicted of attempting to possess a weapon. This testimony aims to challenge the validity of the Israeli convictions that the U.S. government is using as a basis for deportation. Sarsour's brother also testified about the conditions Sarsour faced during his detention, describing him as gaunt and in pain due to inadequate medical care. The case highlights the broader issue of how individuals who advocate for Palestinian rights may face legal repercussions in the U.S. since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Sarsour's next hearing is scheduled for September 14, 2026, where he will appear remotely, and his attorney has indicated that Sarsour will not testify.