Wisconsin Mosque President Detained by Immigration Agents, Drawing Outcry

Elected leaders and clergy call for the release of Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident accused of being a foreign policy threat

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting depicting the exterior of a mosque, with a lone figure standing in the warm, golden light streaming through the doorway, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease over the recent detention of the mosque's president.The detention of a prominent mosque leader raises concerns about the use of immigration authorities to target political dissent.Today in Milwaukee

The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, Salah Sarsour, was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his criticism of Israel. Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident, has no criminal record in the U.S. but was allegedly detained on the grounds that he is a foreign policy threat, a claim his attorneys say has no merit.

Why it matters

The case has sparked outrage from the local community, who view Sarsour's detention as an attempt to silence criticism of Israel. It highlights concerns about the use of immigration authorities to target activists and community leaders based on their political views and advocacy.

The details

Sarsour, 53, was taken into custody by nearly a dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who surrounded his car on Monday in Milwaukee after he left his home. His attorneys say he was targeted for speaking out against Israel and for a minor conviction by Israeli military courts, which have faced scrutiny over allegations of limited due process and high conviction rates of Palestinians. Sarsour has been the board president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the largest Islamic organization in the state, for five years. His attorneys say he holds a green card and lives just outside Milwaukee, and his wife and four adult children are U.S. citizens.

  • On Monday, Sarsour was detained by ICE agents after leaving his home in Milwaukee.
  • Sarsour has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years since arriving in 1993.

The players

Salah Sarsour

The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and a legal permanent resident of the United States.

Munjed Ahmad

One of Sarsour's attorneys, who believes Sarsour was targeted for his criticism of Israel and his past conviction by Israeli military courts.

Othman Atta

One of Sarsour's attorneys, who told a crowd at a news conference that Sarsour was 'targeted because he dared stand up to the Israeli army.'

Cavalier Johnson

The mayor of Milwaukee, who called Sarsour's arrest 'an outrage' and 'another example of overreach and harm from the U.S. immigration authorities.'

Rev. Paul D. Erickson

The bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who called Sarsour a 'valuable community member' and said his arrest 'appears to be just the latest example of how this administration seeks to silence opposition and intimidate those who speak and act differently.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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

“'He was targeted because of one thing, because he dared stand up to the Israeli army. And he was not a U.S. citizen.'”

— Othman Atta, Attorney

“'This appears to be just the latest example of how this administration seeks to silence opposition and intimidate those who speak and act differently.'”

— Rev. Paul D. Erickson, Bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

“'He is a legal permanent resident. There is no substantive evidence he has done anything wrong. This is another example of overreach and harm from the U.S. immigration authorities.'”

— Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee

What’s next

Sarsour's attorneys have filed a petition seeking his immediate release from the county jail in Indiana where he is being held.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about the use of immigration authorities to target activists and community leaders based on their political views and advocacy, rather than any substantive evidence of wrongdoing. It underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability in the immigration system to prevent such abuses of power.