MILWAUKEE – On the morning of Monday, March 30, 2026, more than ten federal agents surrounded and detained Salah Sarsour, the President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Mr. Sarsour has been a community advocate for over three decades and is a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States for over 30 years. 

After being detained, Mr. Sarsour was moved to a detention facility outside the state of Wisconsin, where his legal counsel and family struggled to find him. Such barbaric treatment has one goal: to seek to divide neighbors and sow confusion and suspicion.  

As leaders of Milwaukee’s South Side, we want to be clear that such toxicity will not work. 

“By detaining our community leaders, the Trump administration is trying to divide and terrorize us. It will not work. Courts have ruled these abhorrent tactics unlawful again and again, and history will judge harshly anyone who participates in or defends them,” Supervisor Jack Eckblad stated. “Mr. Sarsour should be immediately released to the family he loves and the community he serves. Until that happens, we refuse to be silent.” 

“It is clear that this administration is not going after the ‘worst of the worst’ like they said, but targeting all communities of color for the crime of not being white or whatever form of Christianity they perform,” said Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez. “This insanity must end.”

“A harm on any of us is a harm to all of us,” said Supervisor Caroline Gómez-Tom. This administration is trying to expand fear, yet I see more community coming together in spite of these harms. We must stand together and push back against the unlawful detainment of our community members.” 

We stand united in condemning the unwarranted detention of Mr. Sarsour and call for his immediate release. We stand united in condemning this latest perversion of an already systemically flawed immigration system. And we stand united in supporting our Muslim neighbors, friends, brothers, and sisters in this time of deep anguish. 

Mr. Sarsour has worked alongside other community leaders for decades to feed, clothe, and sustain our neighbors. He deserves to be with his family at home, and not in a detention cell in a different state. He must be released and returned to them immediately.