By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) - Islamic Society of Milwaukee President Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian American detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March, was released from detention on Thursday after an order by a federal judge."Mr. Sarsour has raised a 'substantial' First Amendment (free speech) retaliation claim, which could render his detention unlawful," U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon said in the ruling on Thursday. The judge was appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term.

A federal judge has ordered the release of Salah Sarsour, the president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, from detention while his immigration case moves forward.

The government has claimed Salah Sarsour is a foreign policy threat, but his attorneys say he was actually targeted for speaking out against Israel.