The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Apr. 2 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Salah Salem Sarsour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sarsour is a Jordanian national who was previously convicted in Israel for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces and attempting to possess weapons and ammunition illegally.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal agencies to identify and remove individuals considered threats to public safety or national security.
According to Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, "Salah Salem Sarsour is a terrorist convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces. This illegal alien from Jordan lied on his green card application to gain legal status in the U.S." Bis also said, "Thanks to President Trump and ICE, this terrorist is out of American communities. This Administration will always put the safety of the American people FIRST and Make America Safe Again.”
Officials said that Sarsour first applied for an immigrant visa at the American Consulate in Jerusalem but was denied due to his convictions in Israel. He later entered the United States as a conditional resident in 1993 and became a green card holder after allegedly lying on his application.
Sarsour will remain in ICE custody while removal proceedings continue.
Federal authorities noted that this arrest may be categorized as a “non-criminal” arrest by some media outlets because Sarsour does not have a criminal record within the United States.
