Judge orders release of Wisconsin mosque president from ICE custody

A federal judge ordered immigration officials to release the president of Wisconsin's largest mosque from detention on Thursday. The ruling found that the man had raised a substantial claim that officials targeted him for his public statements supporting Palestinian rights.

Detention and legal claim Immigration officials detained the mosque president in March. The judge determined that the detention likely amounted to retaliation for the man's advocacy. The order stated that the free speech claim could render the detention unlawful.

American. Officials had described him as a national security concern. The judge's decision requires immigration authorities to release the man while the underlying immigration case continues.

“Mr. Sarsour has raised a 'substantial' First Amendment (free speech) retaliation claim, which could render his detention unlawful.”

The case centers on whether immigration enforcement actions can be used to limit protected speech.