Milwaukee Islamic Society president speaks on arrest and months-long battle against deportation Salah Sarsour, the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, is fighting deportation after an immigration judge ruled, on Sept. 30, that he could be  removed  from the country. He shared more of his experience one-on-one with 12 News.

The president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee is fighting deportation after an immigration judge ruled, on Sept. 30, that he could be  removed  from the country.

Salah Sarsour was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in March. He was taken to a detention facility in Indiana, and that's where he remained until a federal judge ordered his release in June. Salsour spoke exclusively with 12 News about his arrest and his months-long battle to stay in the U.S.


 I never thought one day I will be arrested in America,  Sarsour said.  Twelve cars or so came from three different ways, blocking the street. And I see all these men, like, running towards me. And they arrested me, and I was I asked them, 'Are you sure you arresting me?' 

Sarsour has lived legally in the United States for 33 years. He told 12 News he has six children, all of whom are American citizens and all graduated from college in Wisconsin. Just recently, he welcomed his 10th grandchild.

The government claimed he lied on immigration paperwork decades ago, but Sarsour's legal team argues the case against him is tied to his advocacy for Palestinian human rights.

This week, the immigration judge who ruled Sarsour can be deported cited a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recommending deportation on foreign policy grounds.

 It's a nightmare to me,  Sarsour said while thinking back to the March day that started this battle.

In a binder, Sarsour has kept pages and pages of letters. Each one, he said, was sent to him while in the detention facility. Many of the letters, Sarsour said, were sent by complete strangers. Sarsour said they're now reminders of his continued fight for himself and others.

 They're trying to put me down to kick me out of this countr

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