A judge orders ICE to free a Wisconsin mosque leader, citing a ‘substantial’ free speech claim

A federal judge has ordered the release of Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest mosque and a prominent Palestinian rights advocate, from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. The ruling, issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, found that Sarsour presented a "substantial" claim that his detention was in retaliation for exercising his free speech rights.

Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident who has resided in the U.S. for over three decades, was initially taken into custody by ICE on March 30, 2026. Despite government claims of him being a foreign policy threat, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon noted a lack of evidence to refute Sarsour's claims of being targeted for his advocacy, especially given his long-standing legal residency without prior issues.

During his 80-day detention, Sarsour reportedly lost over 30 pounds and faced inadequate medical care for his Type 2 diabetes. The judge's decision allows Sarsour to return to his Milwaukee home while his immigration case proceeds, emphasizing that First Amendment rights are not automatically overridden by foreign relations concerns.