Federal immigration officials have apprehended the leader of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, claiming he hid a prior conviction for violent acts against Israeli targets and provided false information on his U.S. entry application.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Salah Salem Sarsour, the head of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, in a focused operation earlier this week, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS released a statement on Thursday indicating that Sarsour, a Jordanian national, had been convicted in Israel for throwing Molotov cocktails at a military facility and attempting to acquire weapons and ammunition.
ICE alleges that he obtained legal permanent residency unlawfully by failing to disclose this criminal history on his immigration forms.
“Salah Salem Sarsour is a terrorist convicted of throwing Molotov cocktails into Israeli military headquarters. This illegal immigrant from Jordan lied on his green card application to gain legal status in the United States,” said Lauren Biss, Acting Assistant Secretary of DHS.
According to Fox News’ Brooke Taylor, Sarsour received his green card in 1998 during President Clinton’s administration after allegedly misrepresenting his background.
In a report to FOX 6 Milwaukee, ICE stated that its agents collaborated with the U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend Sarsour.
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee has also created a fundraising campaign to support him during this difficult time.
“Mr. Salah is being targeted due to his Palestinian and Muslim background and his advocacy for Palestinian rights,” reads part of the fundraiser statement. “We recognize that this struggle surrounding Mr. Salah is reflective of a broader trend of attacks on immigrants that jeopardize democratic principles and legal protections for everyone.”
Sarsour has served as president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee for five years and is regarded as a significant figure within the community.
At a recent press conference, supporters passionately called for his release.
“He was targeted because he stood up to the Israeli army for a reason,” stated Osman Atta, one of Sarsour’s attorneys. “He is not an American citizen, yet he has been a dedicated advocate.”
A variety of religious leaders present acknowledged Sarsour’s importance within the community.
“This seems to illustrate how this administration attempts to silence dissenters and intimidate those with differing viewpoints,” remarked Rev. Paul D. Erickson, bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson characterized Sarsour’s detention as a “disgraceful act.”
“He is a lawful permanent resident. There’s a distinct lack of substantial evidence against him,” Johnson expressed on social media. “This exemplifies overreach by U.S. immigration authorities.”
Sarsour is presently held in an Indiana county jail, and his lawyer has filed a petition seeking his release.
