A Wisconsin mosque president was detained by ICE agents. Supporters say he was targeted for speaking out against Israel

PBS NewsHour
by Sophia Tareen, Associated Press
April 3, 2026
3 min read

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The Bottom Line

A mosque president and legal permanent resident was detained by ICE after publicly criticizing Israeli policies.

How This Affects You

If you are an immigrant activist or critic of government policies, this case raises questions about whether immigration enforcement may be used to target political speech, potentially affecting your legal status regardless of criminal history.

AI Summary

Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident, was detained by ICE agents in Milwaukee on Monday after leaving his home, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Sarsour serves as president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and has been a vocal critic of Israeli policies. His supporters contend the detention was retaliation for his public statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising concerns about potential discrimination based on political speech. The case highlights broader tensions over free speech protections for immigrants and activists critical of Israel, particularly amid intensified immigration enforcement under the current administration. ICE detentions of lawful permanent residents are relatively uncommon and typically occur when individuals have criminal convictions or security concerns.

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<p>Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born US green card holder, say he was targeted for criticizing Israel</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>The president of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/wisconsin">Wisconsin</a>’s largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/israel">Israel</a>.</p><p>Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident of the United States, was taken into custody by nearly a dozen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/u...

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