Milwaukee Rally Calls for Release of Islamic Society Leader Detained by ICE

Supporters dispute federal allegations against Salah Sarsour, who has been held since March 30.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, painterly scene of a lone protest sign or banner standing in a sunlit urban plaza, capturing the quiet tension and melancholy of the rally for the detained Islamic Society leader.A somber rally calls for the release of a prominent Milwaukee community leader detained by federal immigration authorities.Today in Milwaukee

More than 100 people rallied in Milwaukee on Sunday, April 12, calling for the release of Salah Sarsour, the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, who has been detained by federal immigration agents since March 30. Supporters say Sarsour, a longtime Milwaukee resident and legal U.S. resident since the 1990s, is not a threat and dispute the Department of Homeland Security's allegations against him.

Why it matters

The detention of a prominent community leader like Sarsour has raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants and Muslim Americans, with supporters accusing the government of unfairly targeting him for his political views and activism.

The details

Immigration agents arrested Sarsour on March 30 and he is currently being held at a detention center in Indiana. The Department of Homeland Security has accused Sarsour of being a "criminal" who is "suspected of funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms," alleging that he threw a Molotov cocktail at homes of Israeli armed forces before coming to the U.S. However, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee disputes these claims, saying the accusations do not relate to Sarsour's activities in the United States.

  • Sarsour was detained by immigration agents on March 30, 2026.
  • The rally in support of Sarsour's release was held on April 12, 2026.

The players

Salah Sarsour

The president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee who has been detained by immigration agents since March 30, 2026.

Othman Atta

A representative of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee who says Sarsour is not a threat to the United States.

Munjed Ahmad

A friend of Sarsour who describes him as a community leader and political prisoner.

Adel Sarsour

The son of Salah Sarsour, who says his father's detention feels like "our American values were taken with him."

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that has detained Sarsour and accused him of being a "criminal" and "suspected of funding terror organizations."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He is someone who is being oppressed because he spoke truth to power.”

— Munjed Ahmad, Friend of Salah Sarsour

“Not only was my father kidnapped by ICE, but it feels like our American values were taken with him.”

— Adel Sarsour, Son of Salah Sarsour

“I am not breakable. Maybe they held or arrested the body, but my soul, my heart, my strong belief - today with you in Milwaukee.”

— Salah Sarsour

What’s next

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee says Sarsour's legal team is exploring options to have him released by a federal court, as only a court can order his release. Officials say Sarsour's immigration court date originally scheduled for Monday was removed for procedural reasons, and a new date has not been announced.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing tensions over the treatment of immigrant and Muslim community leaders, with supporters accusing the government of unfairly targeting Sarsour for his political views and activism. The dispute over the allegations against him underscores the complex legal battles facing some immigrants in the U.S.