INDIANA — Salah Sarsour, the Palestinian-born president of Wisconsin's largest mosque and a legal permanent resident of the U.S., was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in April. Sarsour is currently being held in an Indiana county jail while his immigration case is pending.
Sarsour's attorneys allege that he is being detained on claims that he represents a foreign policy threat. They argue that he was targeted for speaking out against Israel and for a conviction as a minor by Israeli military courts. Sarsour has resided in the U.S. for over 30 years and has no criminal record in the country.
Attorneys told a federal judge that Sarsour, who has Type 2 diabetes, has lost 30 pounds in the two months since his detention, and his blood sugar levels are not being consistently checked. They sent a letter to U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon detailing the detention conditions and requesting Sarsour's release. "The Judge raised questions about the medical care Salah is receiving, and we will continue to press this case." Attorney Luna Droubi said.
In response to the allegations, the Department of Homeland Security stated that all individuals in ICE custody receive three meals daily and proper medical treatment. The department also stated that Sarsour is in the U.S. illegally and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. However, court documents filed by attorneys representing DHS and ICE are sealed in federal court files.
Sarsour's attorneys also allege violations of his religious rights. They claim jail guards denied him access to a Quran and repeatedly interrupted him when he attempted to pray in accordance with his Muslim faith. They also allege Sarsour was offered BBQ pork rinds from the commissary when requesting a diet plan for his diabetes, which would violate his religious dietary restrictions. An investigation found that hundreds of detainees in at least 33 states have filed federal lawsuits alleging medical neglect in custody. Kareem Sarsour, his son, said, "We're not only fighting now for my dad's legal right to be here, but also for his health and basic due process guaranteed by his constitutional rights to speak up about injustice."