US Muslim groups urge release of Palestinian community leader

A coalition of Muslim civil rights organizations gathered outside the US Supreme Court to demand the immediate release of Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian community leader who has lived in the US for more than 30 years and was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 30.

Salah Sarsour, head of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and a board member of American Muslims for Palestine, was pulled over by more than 10 ICE agents while driving near his home on March 30, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

He was first taken to a detention facility in Chicago before being transferred to one in Indiana. The group said he has been a lawful permanent resident in the US for over 32 years.

Organizations including CAIR, the US Council of Muslim Organizations and other organizations also held a joint press conference on Monday to demand the immediate release of Sarsour, saying that he is being targeted for his advocacy for Palestine.

Since taking office last year, the second Trump administration has targeted pro-Palestinian figures, denying them visas to enter the US and seeking to deport them over their advocacy for a free Palestine.