WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led her colleagues in calling on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately release Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident of the United States, who is currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Indiana. The Senators note that Mr. Sarsour has lived in the United States for more than 30 years without a criminal record and it appears he was targeted by the Trump Administration because of his political beliefs and exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.   

“As a business owner and President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Mr. Sarsour is a respected leader in the Milwaukee community. He is a husband, father, and grandfather, and also a loving caretaker to his aging mother. He has lived in the United States for more than 30 years without a criminal record,” wrote the Senators in a letter to DHS Secretary Mullin.  

On March 30, Mr. Sarsour was apprehended by ICE. In the letter, Senator Baldwin expressed concern that Mr. Sarsour was targeted in retaliation for speaking out against the war in Gaza and on issues impacting the Islamic community. Additionally, Baldwin raised alarm over the conditions of his detainment, expressed concern that Mr. Sarsour, a diabetic, does not have appropriate access to healthcare, medical supplies, and a healthy diet required to properly manage that condition.  

“Our nation’s founders realized that democracy cannot exist in a nation with a government that restricts or limits the speech and expression of its people. The Constitution protects an individual’s right to express their political views and have their voices heard. We condemn any attempts by this Administration to use the power of the United States government to unfairly target and punish people for simply disagreeing with it,” concluded the Senators.  

In addition to Senator Baldwin, the letter was also signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). 

Full text of this letter is available here and below.  

Dear Secretary Mullin: 
 
We write to express our deep concerns regarding the detention of Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident of the United States, and we call for his immediate release.  

As a business owner and President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Mr. Sarsour is a respected leader in the Milwaukee community. He is a husband, father, and grandfather, and also a loving caretaker to his aging mother. He has lived in the United States for more than 30 years without a criminal record.  

On March 30, Mr. Sarsour was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was then taken to a detention facility in Chicago before being transferred. He is currently detained at a facility in Brazil, Indiana.  

We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sarsour was targeted in retaliation for his activism. Through his work with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and American Muslims for Palestine, Mr. Sarsour has spoken out passionately against the war in Gaza and on issues impacting the Islamic community. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees everyone in our country, including lawful permanent residents, the right to speak freely without fear of retribution from the government. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has unambiguously stated: “Freedom of speech and of press is accorded to aliens residing in this country.” Any attempt by the government to punish an individual for espousing political views it disagrees with is wrong and unconstitutional. 

Additionally, we are concerned about the conditions of Mr. Sarsour’s detention. When the federal government takes an individual into detention, it becomes responsible for their wellbeing. Those in federal custody must be treated humanely and receive the level of care required. Mr. Sarsour is a diabetic and we are concerned that he does not have appropriate access to healthcare, medical supplies, and a healthy diet required to properly manage that chronic condition, including by regularly testing blood glucose. In addition, we are concerned by reports that Mr. Sarsour has not been provided reasonable religious accommodations, such as a prayer mat. He had been using a facility-issued bath towel to perform his prayers, but this was recently confiscated without explanation and Mr. Sarsour has been forced to pray on the facility’s barren floors. This treatment is unacceptable. 

We request that you provide the information requested below and respond to the following questions no later than May 31, 2026: 

·         Please provide any documents, including legal memoranda, which ICE relied on in making its decision to apprehend and detain Mr. Sarsour. 

·         Please provide any communication with the White House or the Office of Budget and Management regarding Mr. Sarsour, his apprehension or his detention.  

·         Is Mr. Sarsour’s access to healthcare, nutrition and medical supplies in line with the recommendations of his medical doctor?  

·         What protocols do ICE-operated or contracted facilities follow in cases of detainees with hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia? Are these protocols being followed as it pertains to Mr. Sarsour? 

·         What protocols do ICE-operated or contracted facilities follow to meet an individual’s reasonable requests for religious accommodations? Are these protocols being followed as it pertains to Mr. Sarsour? 

Our nation’s founders realized that democracy cannot exist in a nation with a government that restricts or limits the speech and expression of its people. The Constitution protects an individual’s right to express their political views and have their voices heard. We condemn any attempts by this Administration to use the power of the United States government to unfairly target and punish people for simply disagreeing with it.  

An online version of this release is available here.