Court Rules ICE Must Release Wisconsin Mosque Leader, Citing Free Speech

WHO:

CNN - Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident of the United States.

CNN - US District Judge James Patrick Hanlon, nominated by Trump in 2018.

CNN - Malak Saleh, communications manager for the Institute for Middle East Understanding.

CNN - Kareem Sarsour, Salah's son.

WHAT:

Fox News - A federal judge ordered the release of Salah Sarsour from detention by ICE.

CNN - Sarsour was detained by ICE on March 30.

CNN - Sarsour was held for 80 days before his release.

CNN - Sarsour lost more than 30 pounds (14 kilograms) during his incarceration.

CNN - The Department of Homeland Security labeled Sarsour as a "terrorist who was convicted of throwing Molotov cocktails."

WHERE:

CNN - Sarsour was detained in an Indiana county jail.

CNN - Sarsour is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

WHEN:

CNN - Sarsour was taken into custody on March 30.

CNN - The ruling for Sarsour's release occurred on a Thursday.

WHY:

CNN - Sarsour's attorneys claimed he was targeted for speaking out against Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights.

CNN - The judge noted that the government did not provide sufficient evidence to refute Sarsour’s claims of retaliation for free speech.

HOW:

CNN - Judge Hanlon ruled that the invocation of foreign relations concerns does not override First Amendment rights.

CNN - Sarsour's release was ordered while his immigration case moves forward.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 04:25 UTC)

A federal judge has ordered the release of Salah Sarsour, the president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, after he was detained by ICE for 80 days, losing more than 30 pounds during his incarceration. U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon, nominated by Trump, ruled that the government's invocation of foreign relations concerns did not override Sarsour's First Amendment rights, noting insufficient evidence to counter his claims of retaliation for speaking out against Israel. Sarsour's attorneys argued that he was targeted for advocating for Palestinian rights, and his release comes as his immigration case continues to move forward.