Family members and attorneys for Palestinian American activist Salah Sarsour say his health is deteriorating due to inadequate medical care while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody over the past two months.
Sarsour, who was arrested by ICE on March 30, is being held at the Clay County Jail in Brazil, Indiana while his attorneys fight his potential deportation. His attorneys recently submitted a letter to the federal judge in his case seeking his release and alleging that he has been denied necessary medical care and religious accommodations while detained.
The letter alleges Sarsour, who has Type 2 diabetes, has experienced worsening health while in custody due to severe abdominal pain. His attorneys say that jail officials have not adequately monitored his blood sugar levels and have failed to provide appropriate medical treatment.
“He is at risk of permanent organ damage, and sudden and preventable death if he does not receive proper treatment,” the letter states.
The filing also alleges Sarsour has been denied religious accommodations, including access to a prayer rug and Quran. Sarsour’s attorneys argue that these denials violate his First Amendment rights.
Sarsour’s attorneys allege the government, in response to requests for help with improving his diet, told Sarsour he could purchase BBQ pork rinds from the commissary, which his attorneys argue would violate his religious beliefs and dietary restrictions.
Luna Droubi, an attorney for Sarsour, said the situation should outrage everyone.
“He was targeted and taken because of his advocacy for Palestine, and, while imprisoned, he has been tormented by guards, suffered medical neglect, and has been denied basic religious rights,” said Droubi.
The Clay County Jail and ICE could not be immediately reached for comment.
Sarsour’s family and friends continue to call for his release.
“It’s a moral stain on this country that he now sits in ICE detention, being denied medical care or even a hearing by a federal judge to address the legitimacy of his detention,” said Kareem Sarsour, Salah Sarsour’s son, in a recent statement. “My kids want their grandfather back, and I want my father back.”
Why Sarsour was detained
Sarsour, 53, was arrested by ICE on March 30. He is a lawful permanent resident of the United States who has lived in the country legally for more than 32 years and serves as president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee’s board of directors.
Supporters said his arrest by ICE was politically motivated and aligned with Israeli government interests.
The Department of Homeland Security pointed to Sarsour’s two arrests by Israeli forces in the West Bank, including one as a teenager. DHS also alleged that Sarsour was suspected of funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms. The department provided no evidence to support those allegations when asked by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Sarsour and his attorneys have denied the allegations and said they plan to fight his deportation. They argue his detention is politically motivated and tied to his pro-Palestinian activism.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Attorneys and family allege medical neglect in Salah Sarsour detention
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
