Jordanian National Arrested for Immigration Fraud and Terrorist Activity

DHS Press Releases

Filed April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 3rd, 2026

Summary

ICE, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Salah Salem Sarsour, a Jordanian national, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sarsour is suspected of funding terror organizations and allegedly lied on immigration forms to gain legal status. He has a prior conviction for throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli armed forces.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

ICE and USMS conducted a targeted operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 2, 2026, to arrest Salah Salem Sarsour, a Jordanian national illegally present in the U.S. Sarsour is suspected of funding terror organizations and is accused of lying on his green card application to obtain legal status. He has a prior conviction for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces.

This enforcement action targets individuals who misrepresent their backgrounds during immigration processes. Immigration applicants with criminal histories or material omissions on forms face arrest and removal proceedings. DHS has signaled increased scrutiny of individuals with terrorist affiliations or convictions.

What to do next

Review immigration application screening procedures for prior convictions and affiliations
Ensure immigration forms accurately reflect criminal history and affiliations
Coordinate with law enforcement on reporting suspicious immigration applicants

Penalties

Removal proceedings and potential criminal charges for immigration fraud

Source document (simplified)

Home
News
Press Releases
DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Jordanian National with Previous Conviction for Throwing a Molotov Cocktail at the Homes of Israeli Forces

DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Jordanian National with Previous Conviction for Throwing a Molotov Cocktail at the Homes of Israeli Forces

Release Date: April 2, 2026
This ‘Palestinian community leader’ is a convicted criminal who LIED on his immigration forms

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), conducted a targeted operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to arrest Salah Salem Sarsour, a criminal illegal alien from Jordan suspected of funding terror organizations and lying on immigration forms.

“S alah 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.," said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "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.”

Sarsour first submitted an application for an immigrant visa at the American Consulate in Jerusalem, which was denied due to his convictions in Israel for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the homes of Israeli armed forces and illegally attempting to possess weapons and ammunition.

He ultimately entered the United States in 1993—under the Clinton administration—as a conditional resident. After lying on his application, he became a green card holder in 1998 under President Clinton.

This criminal and terrorist will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

S alah Salem Sarsour

This arrest is an example of what the media counts as a “non-criminal” arrest because this terrorist lacks a criminal rap sheet in the U.S.

During President Trump’s first year, ICE arrested 43,305 potential national security risks. ICE has arrested 1,416 known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) and has removed 1,392 KSTs.