Judge Rules Wisconsin Mosque Leader Can Be Deported Over Security Concerns

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

An immigration judge has ruled that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, can be deported from the United States over national security and foreign policy concerns. Sarsour, a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for more than three decades, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in March, according to Fox News. Sarsour was later released from detention after a federal judge raised concerns about whether his arrest was connected to his advocacy for Palestinian rights. The deportation case centers in part on allegations involving Sarsour's past in Israel. Government attorneys cited decades-old Israeli military court convictions and allegations involving rock throwing and an attempt to obtain weapons and ammunition. Sarsour's attorneys dispute the government's characterization of his record. They say he was never convicted of throwing a Molotov cocktail at Israeli military personnel, though he was accused of it, and Sarsour has said Israeli authorities tortured him into confessing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously determined that Sarsour's presence in the U.S. could have adverse foreign policy consequences. The judge gave significant weight to that determination in ruling that Sarsour is removable. Federal officials have also pointed to allegations that Sarsour was involved in fundraising connected to the Holy Land Foundation, an organization the government shut down over alleged ties to Hamas. Sarsour's legal team has argued that the government's case is tied to his political advocacy rather than a genuine security threat. Patrick Taurel, Sarsour's attorney, has questioned why federal authorities waited so long to pursue deportation if his client represented a national security danger. Sarsour has lived in the country for more than 30 years and has no criminal record in the United States. The judge rejected separate government allegations that Sarsour had lied on his green card application. The ruling instead relied on the foreign policy and security grounds cited by the government. Sarsour's lawyers say they plan to appeal. Sarsour also rejected the ruling and said he intends to continue fighting to remain in the country he has called home for decades. "While today's decision is deeply disappointing, I will not give up," Sarsour said in a statement. "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." The case remains subject to further legal proceedings, meaning Wednesday's ruling does not by itself end Sarsour's legal fight over his immigration status. Watch the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7220z0rs3-A