PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago Celebrates Court-Ordered Release of Palestinian Community Leader Salah Sarsour from ICE Custody

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(CHICAGO, IL, 6/18/2026) – The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomes U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon’s order granting the release of Palestinian-American community leader Salah Sarsour from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

On March 30, Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and a board member of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), was surrounded by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and detained, separating him from his wife, six children, grandchildren, and the community he has faithfully served for decades. Today's ruling marks a major victory for due process, civil liberties, and the growing movement demanding an end to the political targeting of Palestinian advocates.

For nearly three months, community members, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, elected officials, and coalition partners across Wisconsin and Illinois mobilized relentlessly for Sarsour's freedom. Their efforts included rallies, prayer gatherings, petition drives, public statements, and a recent "Jews for Salah" vigil outside the Clay County ICE detention facility. The Milwaukee County Board also passed a resolution supporting Sarsour and calling for his release.

CAIR-Chicago thanks our partners: Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), CAIR chapters nationwide, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Bend the Arc, local mosques, community organizations, elected officials, interfaith leaders, and many more allies. CAIR-Chicago particularly recognizes the leadership and solidarity of Rabbis Daniel Kirzane, Danya Ruttenberg, David Eber, and Ike Serotta, who joined Muslim advocates in publicly opposing Sarsour's detention and defending fundamental civil liberties.

Disturbingly, even as community support for Sarsour continued to grow, advocates faced efforts to silence and suppress that movement. The "Jews for Salah" Instagram account, which documented and promoted solidarity efforts calling for Sarsour's release, was recently removed by Meta, raising serious concerns about the censorship of speech supporting Palestinian rights and civil liberties.

Throughout his detention, Sarsour reportedly suffered alarming medical neglect, losing more than 30 pounds while experiencing significant health deterioration. Reports also indicated that he was denied adequate accommodations to practice his faith while in custody. These conditions further underscored the urgent need for his release and raised serious concerns about his treatment in federal detention.

It remains clear to CAIR-Chicago and countless members of the Muslim community that Sarsour was targeted because of his longstanding advocacy for Palestinian human rights and his outspoken opposition to Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza. His detention represented yet another troubling example of government systems being weaponized to intimidate and punish protected political speech.

Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:

"We welcome this decision and celebrate Salah's return to his family, community, and congregation. We thank Judge Hanlon for upholding the principles of fairness and due process, and we are deeply grateful to the attorneys, advocates, coalition partners, mosques, rabbis, elected officials, and everyday community members who refused to allow this injustice to go unanswered. This was not simply an immigration matter—it was an attack on constitutional rights and political dissent."

"The courts remain one of the last safeguards against administrative abuse and government overreach. We call on this administration to immediately end the weaponization of federal agencies and immigration systems against those who advocate for Palestinian human rights. No American should fear detention, retaliation, or persecution because they oppose war crimes, criticize government policy, or exercise their First Amendment rights."

CAIR-Chicago will continue monitoring developments in Sarsour's case and stands with all communities opposing politically motivated targeting, religious discrimination, and the suppression of protected speech.

CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.

CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Director of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com