CHICAGO — The deportation case against Islamic Society of Milwaukee president Salah Sarsour is moving closer to a decision following more testimony in federal immigration court in Chicago.
Sarsour is fighting the Department of Homeland Security’s effort to deport him after more than 30 years as a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Sarsour was taken into custody by ICE agents back in March outside his home in the Milwaukee-area. He was held for over 80 days in immigration custody at the Clay County Jail in Indiana before a federal judge ordered his release last month.
The government’s case alleges Sarsour failed to disclose two arrests by Israeli military authorities on immigration applications in the 1990s and knowingly attempted to register to vote despite not being a U.S. citizen.
Sarsour’s attorneys spent Wednesday calling witnesses to challenge those allegations, arguing the case is about more than immigration paperwork.
“It is so unjust to take a man who’s lived here for 32 years and done nothing wrong in this country,” attorney Patrick Taurel said after the hearing. “The fact that he’s being targeted for his speech is itself extraordinary.”
The defense argues the federal government has long known about Sarsour’s Israeli arrests and argues the deportation effort is instead tied to his public advocacy on behalf of Palestinians.
DHS has not called any witnesses during the hearings, instead relying on cross-examination of defense witnesses and immigration records to support its case.
Sarsour has not yet testified, but that could happen when the hearing resumes next Tuesday.
After testimony concludes, both sides will submit written arguments before the immigration judge decides whether Sarsour is deported.
A ruling is not expected until September at the earliest. Both sides have indicated they are prepared to appeal the decision.
