ICE arrests Palestinian-American mosque leader over alleged terror ties

The case highlights the controversial nature of Israeli military courts in the West Bank. Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem reports these courts maintain a 96% conviction rate and have a documented history of extracting confessions through torture, despite Israel's ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture.

The arrest occurs amid President Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which has particularly targeted pro-Palestinian voices. The administration has attempted to deport foreign protesters, threatened university funding over campus demonstrations, and ordered screening of immigrants' social media activity.

being targeted on the basis of his Palestinian and Muslim background, and his advocacy for Palestinian rights

Islamic Society of Milwaukee statement

Rights groups have condemned Trump's immigration policies as violations of due process and free speech, arguing they create an unsafe environment for minorities. Many targeted protesters have been freed by court orders while their cases proceed, and judges have blocked some university funding freezes.

The administration maintains that protesters are antisemitic and support extremists. Demonstrators, including some Jewish groups, counter that Trump wrongly conflates criticism of Israel's Gaza operations with antisemitism and equates Palestinian rights advocacy with extremism support.

Sarsour came to the United States in 1993 and has served as president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, which operates the state's largest mosque. His case now joins dozens of others challenging the administration's expanded deportation efforts in federal courts.