Salah Salem Sarsour, a criminal illegal alien from Jordan, who is “suspected of funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms,” was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 30, 2026.
Sarsour, a longtime Palestinian activist and president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee – Wisconsin’s largest Islamic organization – has lived in the U.S. for over 32 years. He was taken into custody near his home in the Milwaukee area, and later transferred to a detention facility in Indiana.
During his time in the United States, Sarsour has been active in Democratic politics and fundraising. Public records show he personally donated over $1,000 to the 2018 reelection campaign of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan. According to the Denver Gazette, Sarsour also co-hosted a fundraiser for Tlaib with a nonprofit found liable by a federal jury in 2004 for financing Hamas’ slaying of American teenager, David Boim.
Sarsour, who was allegedly recruited by his brother-in-law to join the ranks of Hamas/Hezbollah fighters, was imprisoned by Palestinian authorities for his connections to terrorism. He was also convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli soldiers and attempting to illegally possess guns and ammunition.
According to DHS, these events led to the denial of his original U.S. immigrant visa application at the consulate in Jerusalem. Yet, Sarsour entered the U.S. anyway and obtained a green card by lying about his criminal history, according to DHS allegations.
TERRORIST ARRESTED. @ICEgov arrested Salah Salem Sarsour, a Jordanian national with a prior conviction for throwing a MOLOTOV COCKTAIL at the homes of Israeli Forces. He also lied on his green card application to get legal status under President Clinton.
Thanks to the brave… pic.twitter.com/8D9xho24rL
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 3, 2026
“Sarsour first submitted an application for an immigrant visa at the American Consulate in Jerusalem, which was denied due to his convictions in Israel for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the homes of Israeli armed forces and illegally attempting to possess weapons and ammunition,” reads an April 2, 2026 DHS press release.
According to FBI and House Finance Committee reports, Sarsour also has a history of financing terrorism from the United States. According to testimony from his brother, Jamil Sarsour – who had been arrested with $66,000 in cash and came under investigation for suspected terrorist funding – Salah Salem became close friends with Hamas military leader and cell-mate Adel Awadallah, during his six-month stint in the Ramallah prison. Jamil also testified that the brothers sent money directly to Awadallah, while funding Hamas’ fight against the Palestinian Authority under Yasser Arafat through NGOs like the Holy Land Fund. According to Jamil, checks were sent from the Sarsour’s joint Milwaukee business account in order to avoid government detection.
The testimony – showing a history of material/financial support to known Hamas military figures – aligns with broader DHS allegations of Sarsour funding terrorism, versus sending funds for purely humanitarian causes—as supporters and Democratic lawmakers have argued.
Targeting people because of their beliefs or background is wrong. This is clearly about sowing division and fear and doesn't help make Wisconsin safer.
I’m thinking of Mr. Sarsour's family in this difficult time, and I join @RepGwenMoore in calling for his immediate release. https://t.co/JtRiP0STDO
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) April 2, 2026
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers publicly supported Sarsour, joining calls for his release. In a statement, Evers said the detention appeared aimed at “sowing division and fear” and did not make Wisconsin safer. He expressed concern for Sarsour’s family.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, who represents the state’s 4th Congressional District including Milwaukee, pledged to oppose DHS funding and work to return Sarsour—insinuating the arrest was racially or politically motivated.
— Rep. Gwen Moore (@RepGwenMoore) April 2, 2026
“This is completely unacceptable,” Moore said. “Salah Sarsour is a respected leader in the Milwaukee community, and his detention raises serious concerns about the continued targeting of lawful residents based on the color of their skin or their political beliefs.”
‘I will do everything in my power to bring Salah Sarsour home to his family and community,” Moore added.
Sarsour’s supporters and attorneys from the Muslim Legal Fund of America argue that U.S. authorities long knew of his Israeli record, calling the detention politically motivated retaliation. Supporters also argue that the Israeli conviction was based on false or coerced evidence from his youth in the West Bank, though he was jailed by the Palestinian Authority under Yasser Arafat. The case has sparked protests and a fundraiser for Sarsour’s legal fees.
“This arrest is an example of what the media counts as a “non-criminal” arrest because this terrorist lacks a criminal rap sheet in the U.S.,” DHS noted—responding to the subsequent outrage sparked by the case.
“This terrorist will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings,” DHS added.
