US Court Rules Islamic Leader Convicted of Terror in West Bank Can Be Deported

A U.S. court has ruled that the U.S. government can deport Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and leader of the largest mosque in Wisconsin. Sarsour, who was born in the West Bank, was convicted of terrorism-related offenses in Israel in the late 1980s, including throwing firebombs and rocks at IDF soldiers. He was also convicted of attempting to possess weapons and ammunition.

Sarsour was arrested in March by immigration authorities, and the Trump administration sought his deportation. The court's decision allows the government to deport him, citing that he poses a threat to U.S. foreign policy. However, the administration's claim that he lied on his residency application was rejected.

Sarsour immigrated to the U.S. in 1993 and has no criminal record in the country. He denies the charges against him, with his lawyers claiming he was tortured into confessing. He has led the Islamic Society of Milwaukee for years.

Sarsour expressed deep disappointment with the ruling but stated his intention to appeal. "I will continue to fight to protect the right to freedom of expression and my right to remain in the country where I have lived for over three decades," he said, adding to the Associated Press that returning to the West Bank would mean "the end of my life."

The legal proceedings against Sarsour are part of a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has focused on deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly those involved in anti-Israel activities.