American Muslims could be targeted without evidence of wrongdoing
WASHINGTON, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today termed "unconstitutional and un-American" a proposed
Justice Department policy change that would allow the FBI to investigate
Americans without evidence of wrongdoing and could permit religious and ethnic
profiling.
Under the new guidelines, which are expected to be implemented later this
summer, the FBI would be permitted to consider race and ethnicity when opening
an investigation. Agents would also be allowed to ask open-ended questions
about the activities of American Muslims and Arab-Americans, and could
initiate an investigation if a person's employment or background is labeled as
"suspect" by government analysts looking at public records and other
information.
The FBI currently needs specific evidence or allegations of wrongdoing before
it can investigate a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
SEE: Terrorist Profile Could Single Out Muslims, Arabs (AP)
http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=5294541
"Any new Justice Department guidelines must preserve the presumption of
innocence that is the basis of our entire legal system," said CAIR National
Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "Initiating criminal investigations based
on racial or religious profiling is both unconstitutional and un-American."
He noted that top administration officials, including President Bush, have in
the past denounced such profiling.
Saylor urged Americans of all faiths and backgrounds to contact the White
House and their elected representatives to speak out in favor of the
protection of civil liberties.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding
of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American
Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey P. Saylor, +1-202-384-8857,
csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
CAIR National Legislative Director Corey P. Saylor, +1-202-384-8857,
csaylor@cair.com, or CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, or CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com
