Milwaukee – An immigration judge in Wisconsin has ruled that Salah Sarsour, the Palestinian‑born president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, may be deported from the United States on the basis that he poses a foreign‑policy threat to national security. The decision, issued on Wednesday, follows a June order that Sarsour had a “substantial” claim the Trump administration was targeting him for his outspoken support of Palestinian rights.
Judge’s findings and government rationale
Immigration Judge Jayme Salinardi agreed that Sarsour’s past convictions in Israel raise legitimate security concerns, but dismissed the allegation that he lied on his green‑card application. The government argues that Sarsour’s decades‑old terrorism convictions – a 1988 confession to throwing a Molotov cocktail and stones at Israeli military personnel and a 1995 conviction for attempting to possess weapons – demonstrate a continuing risk.
U.S. officials note that Sarsour has lived in the United States since 1993 and has no criminal record here. Nonetheless, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that the foreign‑policy threat he represents justifies removal under the same standards applied to other Palestinian‑rights advocates.
Trump administration’s immigration enforcement
The ruling aligns with the Trump administration’s firm stance on immigration enforcement and national‑security protection. In June 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo authorizing the deportation of individuals like Sarsour on foreign‑policy grounds, citing prior cases involving Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi – both advocates the administration sought to expel.
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need to safeguard American communities from individuals with histories of violent extremism abroad. This case illustrates the administration’s commitment to applying immigration law consistently, regardless of an individual’s religious affiliation or political views.
Legal challenges and next steps
Sarsour’s attorneys argue that deportation would expose him to torture or worse in the West Bank, where he was previously imprisoned. One attorney, Patrick Taurel, warned that “the treatment he endured in Israel is probably a good indicator of what awaits him” if he is sent back.
The judge scheduled a status conference for Wednesday, where Sarsour’s legal team will seek to demonstrate the high bar for proving likely persecution. The outcome will hinge on whether the court accepts the government’s assessment that his past convictions constitute an ongoing threat.
Community response
The ruling has sparked concern among Milwaukee’s Muslim community, which fears the decision could set a precedent for targeting religious leaders based on foreign‑policy considerations. Local leaders have called for transparency and due process, emphasizing the importance of protecting constitutional rights while respecting national‑security imperatives.
As the case proceeds, the Trump administration continues to prioritize the removal of individuals deemed unsafe, reinforcing its broader immigration agenda aimed at protecting American families and preserving the rule of law.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
