Milwaukee Mosque President Says He Was Targeted Due to His Support for Palestine

IQNA – The president of a mosque in Milwaukee, US state of Wisconsin, who was released from ICE custody this week said he has been targeted because of his advocacy for Palestine.

Following a ruling from a federal judge on Thursday to release Salah Sarsour from ICE custody, the president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque is back in Wisconsin.

Sarsour made his way back from Indiana to Milwaukee on Thursday evening. On Friday, he attended prayer sessions and spoke with the media following his release.

After 80 days in ICE custody, Sarsour said being back in his home mosque praying with his friends and family is a moment he’s been waiting for.

“Finally, I am back, and I am here with my grandchildren and my family,” Sarsour said.

Sarsour has been the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee for the past five years.

He is originally from the West Bank but has been in the US as a lawful permanent resident for more than 30 years.

Sarsour said he believes his advocacy for Palestinian rights is why he’s being targeted, which falls under free speech.

He was arrested by ICE in March, with the government claiming he was a foreign policy threat. Back in 1989 and 1995, the Israeli regime’s military court convicted him of crimes against Israeli forces.

“These are 30-year-old stale allegations that they are dredging up now,” his attorney, Luna Droubi, said. “They know they are false. In fact, they chose to not believe them multiple times during Mr. Sarsour’s 30 years in this country.”

Sarsour denies he committed these crimes and said they haven’t impacted his citizenship eligibility for over 25 years. He said he was pleased with the judge’s decision to release him from custody.

“The way he chose to be a just judge, and honestly, he gave me hope for the system,” Sarsour said. “That thank God we still have good people who can give the right judgement for a bright future.”

Sarsour’s release does not mean a decision has been made on his deportation. His attorney said they plan to move forward with legal action to keep Sarsour in the US and will be working on his immigration case and federal case.

“We believe strongly that the judge will come down and rule definitively that Salah Sarsour’s constitutional rights were violated,” Droubi said.

Sarsour said there is still a long road ahead, but he is thankful to be home with his family.

Source: spectrumnews1.com