IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
252229
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BROWER AND MOORE
Title
Resolution relating to the arrest and detention of Salah Sarsour.
Analysis
This resolution condemns ICE’s detention of Salah Sarsour, demands his immediate release from federal custody, and calls for him to be afforded the due process protections guaranteed by the Constitution and U.S. law.
Body
Whereas, Salah Sarsour is the board president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and has had longstanding ties to the Milwaukee community; and
Whereas, Mr. Sarsour has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 1993; and
Whereas, Lawful permanent residents in the United States are generally entitled to significant constitutional protections, including First Amendment and due process protections; and
Whereas, On March 30, 2026, ICE agents detained Mr. Sarsour in the Milwaukee area, and he has remained in immigration detention in Indiana since that time; and
Whereas, The federal government has asserted that Mr. Sarsour presents a “serious adverse foreign policy” concern, even though he has lived in the United States for more than 30 years and, according to news reports, has no criminal record in the United States; and
Whereas, The federal government’s assertion that a person presents a “serious adverse foreign policy” concern arises from a Cold War-era provision that had previously been rarely used, but that has recently been invoked against multiple protesters and activists; and
Whereas, Attorneys, supporters, clergy, and elected officials have argued that Mr. Sarsour was targeted for arrest and detention because of his political viewpoints and advocacy for the Palestinian people; and
Whereas, According to news reports, the government’s case relies in part on allegations
and convictions stemming from events when Mr. Sarsour was a minor in the West Bank,
decades before his current detention, and under charges which his attorneys argue were false and obtained under torture; and
Whereas, Lawyers representing Mr. Sarsour have filed a writ of habeas corpus in federal court seeking his release from detention and arguing that his detention is unconstitutional; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that we condemn the federal government’s detention of our neighbor, Salah Sarsour, on the basis of allegations we believe do not justify his continued detention; and, be it
Further Resolved, That we demand the immediate release of Salah Sarsour from federal custody and that he be afforded the due process protections required by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB181555-1
Dave Gelting
April 16, 2026