CHICAGO – In a gripping courtroom testimony, it was revealed that Israeli authorities resorted to pressing charges against the leader of Wisconsin’s largest mosque through coercion, yet failed to link him conclusively to any terrorist group. This testimony emerged as the Palestinian man vigorously contests a deportation initiative by the Trump administration in immigration court.
Salah Sarsour, a long-standing legal permanent resident in the United States, found himself suddenly apprehended at his Milwaukee residence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement this past March. By June, a judge lifted his ICE detention, questioning why the government sought his removal after allowing him residency for such an extensive period in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security, citing Sarsour as a potential peril to foreign policy, is pushing for his deportation based on convictions in Israel during the late 20th century. Notwithstanding, Sarsour remains steadfast, asserting that his current plight is a consequence of his outspoken stance against Israel rather than any actions taken on American soil, where he holds an unblemished record.
Appearing for the third time in a Chicago immigration courtroom since his release, Sarsour was backed by his lawyer, Patrick Taurel, who brought forward a key witness to challenge the authenticity of the Israeli convictions clouding his life.
Among the testimonies, Jawad Boulos, Sarsour’s legal representative from the charges he faced in Israel decades back, recounted how his client suffered under Israeli custody through torture, leading to forced confessions. Boulos asserted that while Sarsour was found guilty of attempting to acquire a weapon, there was no conviction linking him to any terrorist enterprise.
Human rights organizations have released multiple reports alleging Palestinian prisoners are mistreated, tortured and wrongfully detained in Israeli jails.
Boulos told the court Sarsour was tortured and that he accepted a plea deal in the mid-1990’s because fighting the charge could lead to a longer sentence behind bars.
On the first day of the hearing, July 22, Salah Sarsour’s brother, Mohammad Sarsour, testified that his brother appeared gaunt and dirty and complained of pain during his detention in Israeli jail.
Sarsour will appear remotely for his next hearing on Sept. 14. Taurel said his client will not testify.
Sarsour is among several people who have been arrested in the U.S. and threatened with deportation after speaking out in favor of Palestinians since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
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Mayes-Osterman is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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