Immigration judge rules U.S. can deport Islamic Society of Milwaukee president
An immigration judge has ruled that the United States has grounds to deport the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE —
Video above: June coverage of Islamic Society of Milwaukee leader’s continuing deportation fight
An immigration judge has ruled that the United States has grounds to deport the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.
In a status hearing on Wednesday, the judge said Salah Sarsour’s case can move on to the removal phase.
He gave Sarsour’s legal team 30 days to file an appeal.
The allegations
Federal officials allege that Sarsour failed to disclose two convictions on his immigration paperwork.
Much of the testimony has focused on Sarsour’s treatment during military detention in the West Bank in 1989, when he was arrested as a 15-year-old for throwing rocks and a Molotov cocktail at Israeli troops, and again in 1995 for allegedly attempting to assist Hamas.
His defense claims that his confessions in those cases were extracted through torture.
In the case seeking Sarsour’s deportation, Homeland Security has cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that Sarsour’s residency in the U.S. “presents an adverse consequence to U.S. foreign policy,” specifically referencing his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Arrested
Sarsour was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at his Franklin home in March, sparking an outcry in Milwaukee, particularly within the Muslim community.
“He was targeted for one thing. He dared to stand up to the Israeli government,” Islamic Society Executive Director Othman Atta said then.
Held in federal detention
Sarsour was held in federal detention in Indiana for nearly three months before being released in June. The deportation hearings in Chicago started in July.