Immigration judge questions U.S. deportation bid for Wisconsin mosque leader based on coerced Israeli confessions

A Chicago immigration judge scrutinized the U.S. government's attempt to deport Salah Sarsour, noting his Israeli convictions stemmed from forced confessions.

In Chicago immigration court, officials examined the Department of Homeland Security's push to remove Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian leader of Milwaukee's biggest mosque, from the United States. The deportation request relies on convictions obtained in Israel during the 1980s and 1990s, but a former Israeli attorney testified that Sarsour was tortured and coerced into confessing, and that the charges did not involve any terrorist organization.

After ICE detained him in March, a federal judge ordered his release in June, stating the government had not adequately explained why he should be expelled after decades of residence. Sarsour, who holds legal permanent residency and has no U.S. criminal record, argues the action punishes his outspoken criticism of Israel. His brother described his poor health after Israeli imprisonment, and Sarsour is scheduled for a remote hearing on September 14, while his attorney says he will not testify. The case reflects a broader pattern of deportation threats against pro-Palestinian activists since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023.