Muslim Community Celebrates Sarsour’s Freedom

Salah Sarsour (center) surrounded by friends and supporters. Photo taken June 19, 2026 by Graham Kilmer.

“I have a new life,” Salah Sarsour told a crowd gathered at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Friday.

Sarsour was released from federal custody the day prior after 80 days in immigration detention in the Clay County Jail in Indiana. U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, ordered his release Thursday after finding evidence he had been targeted by the federal government for protected free speech.

Friday was the first time he was able to pray the Friday prayer with his community since he was arrested on March 30.

“Finally, I am back, and I’m here with my grandchildren, with my family, with my dear community,” he said.

Sarsour is a Palestinian immigrant who came to the U.S. more than 30 years ago. He is the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and on the board of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). He was arrested by federal agents for allegedly “funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms,” according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the time.

His arrest was allegedly connected to his conviction in an Israeli military court more than three decades ago. At the time Sarsour lived under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank. The U.S. government had known about his conviction since he immigrated to the country, and his family and supporters have said the charges were fraudulent.

The claims by federal immigration officials were also fraudulent and used as a pretext to go after Sarsour, his supporters and attorneys have said. Sarsour was targeted by the federal government because of his vocal advocacy for Palestinian people, they said.

“These are 30 year old stale allegations that they’re dredging up now,” one of his attorneys Lena Droubi said over a remote connection to the press conference Friday. “The real reality here is that Salah Sarsour was targeted for his lawful speech.”

In a 29-page order, Hanlon agreed there is evidence supporting a “substantial First Amendment retaliation claim, which could render his detention unlawful.”

After his arrest, Sarsour’s attorneys filed a petition for habeus corpus, asking the federal government to prove his detention is lawful. On Thursday, Hanlon ordered Sarsour released from federal custody pending the outcome of his habeus petition. Along with his habeus case, Sarsour still has an active immigration case, where the federal government is attempting to have him deported from the country.

“It’s been one hell of a ride, so far, I tell ya,” said Mujned Ahmad, one of Sarsour’s friends and attorney working on his legal team.

Both Ahmad and Sarsour said Hanlon’s decision to release Sarsour gave them confidence in the U.S. judicial system.

“Honestly, he gave me hope for the system that thank God we have still a great people who can give right judgment for a better future,” Sarsour said.

Sarsour’s health deteriorated during his time in federal custody, according to his attorneys. He was not receiving adequate treatment or nutrition for his diabetes, they said. He lost 35 pounds while in custody and had ulcers on his feet that were not treated, Ahmad said. He also missed the birth of his youngest grandchild.

While Ahmad was speaking, one of Sarsour’s sons collapsed while standing next to his father. Ahmad said the family has not been sleeping well, and living in constant stress since their father’s arrest. Sarsour’s other son’s Kareem described “living every day as the nightmare continues.”

“We have Salah back, thankfully, but there are other people languishing in Clay County and in ICE custody who are being mistreated, who are being disallowed their proper medical care,” Ahmad said. “It’s high time for our administration to realize what they’re doing is un-American, to abduct somebody because of his speech, his advocacy for Palestine, is totally un-American.”

Ahmad read a message from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who said, “From the beginning. I knew that Salat was being targeted by the Trump administration for his advocacy for Palestinians in America. This is not a crime, it’s a right entitled to individuals, no matter who holds the White House, the judge’s ruling reaffirms this.”

Other supporters spoke for Sarsour Friday, including Jodi Melamed, an organizer with Jews for Salah, who said, “I am one of many Jews in Milwaukee who see Salah as our hero for standing up for all of our constitutional rights, for standing up for democracy.”

Fauzia Qureshi, executive director of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance, thanked local elected officials including Ald. Alex Brower and Sup. Caroline Gomez-Tom for authoring resolutions condemning Sarsour’s detention and calling for his release. The resolutions were passed by the Milwaukee Common Council and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, respectively. 

Along with Moore, other members of congress wrote to Trump administration officials demanding Sarsour’s release, including U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, Qureshi said.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voce de la Frontera, said Sarsour’s homecoming celebration was also an opportunity “to really commit ourselves again to the struggle ahead to the days ahead.” His release, she said, was “really proof today that when we come together we do make a difference.”

“I am back to continue to serve the community,” Sarsour said. “Monday, we will have many meetings to continue building bridges… we are against anything unjust, but anything with values, anything with justice, anything with support for families, support education, support our kids, and the future of our kids, we will be there.”