A Chicago immigration judge ruled on Wednesday that Salah Sarsour, the president of the largest mosque in Wisconsin and of Palestinian descent, can be deported from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act on grounds that he poses a threat to American foreign policy.
The Department of Homeland Security welcomed the decision, with a spokesperson stating to The Epoch Times, “The immigration judge in this case supported multiple grounds for removal.”
The statement further noted, “The Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that Sarsour’s presence in the United States would be detrimental to American foreign policy and that he has engaged in terrorist activities or supported terrorist organizations.”
According to court documents, in June 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memorandum stating that Sarsour could be deported.
As the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, which is the largest mosque in Wisconsin, Sarsour has 30 days to appeal the decision.
Sarsour, an advocate for Palestinian rights, has lived in the United States for over thirty years until he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Milwaukee on March 30, 2026, initiating the deportation process.
The Department of Homeland Security has accused him of being an illegal immigrant from Jordan, allegedly funding terrorist organizations and lying on immigration forms.
“Salaah Salim Sarsour is a terrorist who was convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli military installations,” Acting Assistant Secretary of State Lauren Bis stated in a statement in April, “This illegal immigrant from Jordan lied on his green card application to obtain lawful status in the United States.”
Chicago immigration court judge Jayme Salinardi dismissed Sarsour’s claim of lying to obtain a green card but supported the government’s argument to deport him, citing threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
Sarsour expressed disappointment at the ruling, with his legal team planning to appeal.
Wisconsin Senator Chris Larson, whose district includes Milwaukee, opposes Sarsour’s deportation.
Larson posted on Facebook on Wednesday, stating, “Salah Sarsour is targeted for supporting Palestine – that’s it.”
Sarsour was initially denied a visa when he first applied to the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem decades ago. Later, during the Clinton administration, he entered the U.S. in 1993 as a conditional permanent resident and obtained a green card in 1998.
On June 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon ordered Sarsour’s immediate release, determining that his detention was illegal as he had filed a retaliation claim based on infringement of free speech rights. While the June order allowed his release, it did not determine his deportation status, and his case continues in the Chicago immigration court.
One of Sarsour’s lawyers, Patrick Taurel, requested on Wednesday for him to be deported only to Israel or Palestinian territories, not to Jordan as listed in the deportation documents. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the high conviction rate of Palestinians in military courts in the West Bank, reaching up to 96%.
The Epoch Times has reached out to Salah Sarsour’s legal team for comment.