The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), today reiterated its call for the immediate release of Milwaukee Muslim community leader Salah Sarsour, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March, after reports indicate that his medical needs are being neglected and that his health is deteriorating while in detention.
According to attorneys representing Sarsour, he has experienced worsening health conditions while being held in ICE custody and has allegedly been denied adequate medical care despite serious medical concerns.
SEE: Attorneys and family allege medical neglect in Salah Sarsour detention – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
SEE ALSO: Son of detained Islamic Society of Milwaukee president says father’s health is being neglected in ICE custody – TMJ4
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The reported neglect of Salah Sarsour’s medical needs in ICE detention is deeply alarming and unacceptable. No one should be forced to suffer declining health while being unjustly held in immigration detention, especially a respected community leader who poses no threat to anyone. The Trump administration must immediately release Salah Sarsour and ensure that all individuals in immigration custody receive appropriate medical care and humane treatment.”
He said Sarsour’s continued detention raises serious concerns about due process, civil liberties, and the targeting of community leaders.
In April,CAIR joinedAmerican Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to demand Sarsour’s immediate release.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com