Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Leads Colleagues in Calling for Salah Sarsour’s Release from ICE Detention

Salah Sarsour is a local leader in the Milwaukee area, leading the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. He has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years and is a powerful advocate for Palestinians. ICE has detained him for nearly two months in Clay County Jail in Indiana where Congresswoman Moore was able to visit him, and despite DHS’ sweeping claims, officials have offered no evidence to justify his detainment.

The letter, led by Congresswoman Moore to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mullin and U.S. Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio, calls for his release. Further, the letter raises important questions and concerns regarding his detention apparently tied to his First Amendment protected speech, and regarding the conditions of his detention and his access to appropriate health care.

In the letter, Congresswoman Moore and her colleagues reiterated the importance of First Amendment protections, writing: “We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sarsour is being detained because of his views related to the war in Gaza and the plight of Palestinians rather than any violation of federal, state, or local laws.” The First Amendment provides in pertinent part that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…” The Constitution’s protection covers everyone in this country, including lawful permanent residents.”

In the letter, she also raised critical questions, including:

• Please provide any documents, including legal memoranda, which ICE, or any other federal agency relied on in making the decision to detain Mr. Sarsour. This includes the specific grounds and documents used by Secretary of State Rubio to determine that Mr. Sarsour’s presence or activities in the United States … would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States?
• Given that Mr. Sarsour suffers from diabetes, how frequently are his blood glucose or blood pressure levels being monitored (e.g. fasting, pre-meal, bedtime)?
• Given concerns about access to an inadequate diet and medical monitoring in the Clay County facility, what protocols are followed in cases of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia?
• Who is responsible for overseeing the medical care of detainees at Clay County Jail, and what is ICE's oversight role over that facility's compliance with its own medical standards?
• What are the general conditions of Mr. Sarsour's confinement, including his housing unit, access to outdoor time, and ability to communicate with family and legal counsel?

Read the full text of the letter here.  The letter was co-led by Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Andre Carson. Other signers include Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Greg Casar, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.  A similar letter was recently sent by Senator Baldwin. In addition to leading this letter, last month, Congresswoman Moore visited Salah Sarsour in Indiana. Read more on her visit here.