At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. On September 30, 2026, an immigration judge found that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest mosque, is removable from the United States.
Sarsour, born in the West Bank, has been a lawful permanent resident since arriving in 1993 and has no U.S. criminal record. Below, we explain what the judge decided, what comes next, and why this case matters to other green card holders.
What Did the Judge Decide?
Immigration Judge Jayme Salinardi of the Chicago Immigration Court sustained the foreign policy ground of removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). That rarely used provision allows the deportation of a person whose presence the Secretary of State believes could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
The basis was a June 2025 memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to Sarsour’s attorneys, it states that his actions undermine U.S. foreign policy to combat antisemitism. At the same time, the judge rejected the government’s allegations that Sarsour lied on his green card application or falsely claimed citizenship to vote.
Why Is the Government Targeting Him, and What Does He Say?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited convictions in Israel from 1988, for throwing a Molotov cocktail and stones, and from 1995, on weapons charges. Sarsour denies them and says they were based on confessions obtained under torture.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him in March 2026. In June, U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon ordered his release after finding he had a substantial free speech retaliation claim; the government appealed that order. His attorneys argue he was targeted for his pro-Palestinian activism.
“If the Secretary of State says the person is deportable, it is game over,” said his attorney, Patrick Taurel. Sarsour said he will keep “fighting to defend the right to free speech and to stay in the country I have called home for more than three decades.”
Can He Be Deported Now?
Not immediately. An immigration judge’s decision is not a final order while the appeal period runs or while an appeal is pending before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
According to Spectrum News, Sarsour has 30 days to file a notice of appeal y 60 days to apply for relief, including deferral under the Convention Against Torture, before any removal can take place. After the BIA, a federal court of appeals is still available. In the meantime, he remains free.
What Does This Mean for Other Green Card Holders?
A green card grants permanent status, but it is not the same as citizenship: a resident can lose it if the government proves a ground of removal before a judge. This case shows that beyond criminal or fraud grounds, there are lesser-known ones, such as foreign policy.
- Review your full history: convictions or arrests abroad, even old ones, can resurface years later.
- Be accurate on every form: what you said on your green card application may be reviewed when you apply for citizenship or return from a trip.
- Talk to an attorney before traveling: if you have any record in or outside the U.S., reentry may raise questions.
- Consider naturalization: if you already qualify, becoming a citizen reduces these risks, but have your case reviewed before you file.
- If you receive a Notice to Appear (NTA): do not ignore it, and seek representation right away.
Protege tu situación migratoria con el bufete de abogados Campos
Being a permanent resident for decades does not prevent a case from being opened. If you have questions about your history, your green card, or your path to citizenship, reviewing them early is your best defense. We do not make unrealistic promises. We provide serious legal representation backed by preparation and integrity.
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