Wisconsin Mosque President Detained by ICE

Supporters rally to call for release of Salah Sarsour

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:30am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting the exterior of a mosque or Islamic community center, with the building bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease.The detention of a prominent mosque leader raises fears of government overreach and the suppression of free speech on sensitive political issues.Today in Milwaukee

The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident of the United States, was detained by nearly a dozen US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday in Milwaukee. Sarsour's attorneys say he was targeted for speaking out against Israel and for a conviction as a minor by Israeli military courts, which they claim have limited due process and high conviction rates of Palestinians.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the potential targeting of immigrant community leaders who are critical of foreign governments, in this case Israel, and whether the US government is acting on behalf of a foreign power to stifle free speech and political discourse.

The details

Sarsour, 53, was taken into custody by ICE agents after leaving his home in Milwaukee. His attorneys say he has no criminal record in the US, where he has lived for over 30 years, and that the US government has known about his conviction in Israel since he came to the US in 1993. Sarsour has been the board president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the largest Islamic organization in the state, for five years.

  • Sarsour was detained by ICE agents on Monday, April 1, 2026 after leaving his home in Milwaukee.
  • Sarsour has been the board president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee for the past 5 years.

The players

Salah Sarsour

The 53-year-old president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and a legal permanent resident of the United States who was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Munjed Ahmad

An attorney representing Salah Sarsour, who claims Sarsour was targeted for his criticism of Israel and a minor conviction by Israeli military courts.

Islamic Society of Milwaukee

The largest Islamic organization in the state of Wisconsin, of which Salah Sarsour has been the board president for the past 5 years.

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What they’re saying

“Our government should not be doing the bidding of a foreign government. There's no question in my mind is that this is to stifle the discourse on the Palestinian narrative.”

— Munjed Ahmad, Attorney

“There's no question in my mind is that this is to stifle the discourse on the Palestinian narrative.”

— Munjed Ahmad, Attorney

What’s next

Sarsour's attorneys say they are working to secure his immediate release from ICE custody.

The takeaway

This incident highlights concerns about the potential targeting of immigrant community leaders who are critical of foreign governments, and whether the US government is acting on behalf of those foreign powers to suppress free speech and political discourse.