Full Breakdown
Salah Sarsour Faces Deportation After Immigration Judge Rules He Is a Foreign-Policy Threat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
An immigration judge in Chicago ruled that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is removable on “foreign-policy” grounds. The decision, issued in late September 2026, allows deportation despite a prior federal judge’s finding that his detention may have been retaliation for his advocacy of Palestinian rights. The judge dismissed the allegation that Sarsour lied on his green-card application but upheld the claim that his past convictions in Israel constitute a national-security threat.
Background & Context
The ruling relies on a Cold-War-era provision revived by the Trump administration to target foreign nationals who speak out on U.S. foreign policy. In June 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo invoking that provision to label Sarsour a foreign-policy risk, citing his decades-old Israeli military-court convictions. Sarsour was detained by ICE in March 2026 and held for roughly 80 days before a federal judge ordered his release in June 2026, finding that the detention could violate his First-Amendment rights.
Timeline
- March 2026 – ICE detains Sarsour in Milwaukee.
- June 2026 – Federal judge releases Sarsour, citing possible retaliation for speech.
- June 2025 – Secretary Rubio’s memo invokes the foreign-policy removal provision.
- Late September 2026 – Immigration judge orders Sarsour removable; Judge Jayme Salinardi announces retirement, with Judge Craig Defoe slated to take over.
Data & Statistics
- Sarsour, who has Type 2 diabetes, lost more than 30 pounds while in ICE custody; his blood-sugar levels were monitored only once a month, which his attorneys say puts him at risk of organ failure.
- An investigation by KFF Health News and the Associated Press identified hundreds of detainees in at least 33 states filing lawsuits alleging similar medical neglect.
Official Statements & Responses
- Judge Jayme Salinardi (Chicago Immigration Court) found Sarsour removable, granting “extreme deference” to Secretary Rubio’s memo and to Israeli authorities collaborating with DHS.
- Judge James Patrick Hanlon (U.S. District Court) ordered Sarsour’s release in June 2026, stating the government had not explained why a long-time lawful permanent resident was suddenly deemed a threat.
- Secretary Marco Rubio (June 2025 memo) invoked the removal provision, citing Sarsour alongside other pro-Palestinian advocates previously targeted for expulsion.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorney Patrick Taurel argued that the government’s case amounts to retaliation for Sarsour’s speech, noting that the memo singled him out without new evidence.
On-the-Ground Reports
Sarsour described his detention as “deeply disappointing” and pledged to continue fighting for free speech.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Convictions in Israel: Some sources say Sarsour was convicted of throwing a Molotov cocktail and attempting to possess weapons; others note he was only accused of the Molotov-cocktail incident.
- Destination of Deportation: The removal order lists Jordan as a possible destination, though Sarsour has no legal right to reside there; his counsel argues he should be limited to Israel or the Palestinian territories.
- Alleged Green-Card Fraud: DHS alleges false statements on Sarsour’s immigration forms, but the judge rejected that claim as unsubstantiated.
What’s Next
A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days, and Sarsour has 60 days to submit an application for relief. Judge Craig Defoe will oversee the case after Judge Salinardi’s retirement. The government cannot execute a deportation until all legal avenues are exhausted.