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Immigration Judge Rules Wisconsin Mosque Leader Removable on Foreign‑Policy Grounds

The decision uses a rarely invoked State Department deportation authority; appeals and a separate torture‑risk review will now decide whether he can be removed from the United States.

US judge rules Wisconsin mosque leader Salah Sarsour can be deported
Salah Sarsour, Palestinian community leader and president of Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is greeted by his community following a prayer celebrating his return Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
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Overview

  • An immigration judge found Salah Sarsour removable under the Cold War‑era foreign‑policy provision on Sept. 30, 2026, while rejecting the government's claim that he lied on his green‑card application.
  • Sarsour remains free because a federal judge ordered his release in June and his lawyers said they will appeal the removal order and seek protection under the Convention Against Torture.
  • The government based its case on decades‑old Israeli military‑court records and alleged past convictions; Sarsour and witnesses said his confessions were coerced and raised claims of torture.
  • The ruling rests on Section 237(a)(4)(C) of U.S. immigration law after a June 2025 memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked deference to the executive branch's foreign‑policy judgment.
  • Lawyers highlighted humanitarian concerns — Sarsour has Type 2 diabetes and lost more than 30 pounds in ICE custody — and the order lists Jordan as a possible destination while his team pushes to limit removal to Israel or the Palestinian territories.