An immigration judge made a decisive ruling on Wednesday. Federal authorities can now deport Salah Sarsour. He leads the largest mosque in Wisconsin. The decision marks a major win for the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked federal law in June. He determined Sarsour poses a threat to foreign policy. His presence in the United States is no longer tolerated. This moves the case from political debate to legal action.
Government lawyers pointed to old records from Israel. Sarsour has convictions for throwing rocks at soldiers. He also tried to procure weapons in the past. These acts happened decades ago but remain on his record. The government argues these past actions matter today. They claim he poses a national security risk. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson supported this view. They stated Rubio had reasonable grounds for his decision. The agency believes Sarsour engaged in terrorist activity. They also claim he supported a terrorist organization.
Sarsour’s legal team pushed back hard against these claims. His lawyer Patrick Taurel spoke to Fox News Digital. He described Sarsour as a lawful resident for over thirty years. Sarsour has zero arrests in the United States. He is a father of six American citizen children. Taurel argued these facts contradict the threat label. He said the term public safety threat loses its meaning. The lawyer emphasized Sarsour’s role in interfaith dialogue. He presented his client as a community pillar. The defense argues the timing of the deportation is suspicious. They asked why the government waited thirty years. If he was a threat, they asked, why wait now?
The case also involves complex financial allegations. A 2001 FBI memo cited Sarsour’s brother, Jamil. Jamil alleged Sarsour raised funds for the Holy Land Foundation. That group was shut down for terror ties. Jewish Insider reported Sarsour posted about Gaza online. He asked God to give victory to people in Gaza. In a deposition, Sarsour admitted the language could be read as punishment. He claimed Israeli authorities tortured him into confessing. His lawyers say he is being targeted for political reasons. They argue his views on Israel are the real issue. Sarsour has pledged to appeal the judge’s ruling. He vows to fight for his right to stay. He says he will defend free speech until the end.