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American Morning

Justice Department Letters Walk Fine Line of Racial Profiling

Aired November 28, 2001 - 08:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Following the September 11 attacks, many Arab-Americans feared they would become targets of racially-motivated violence.

Now, the Justice Department is sending out letters asking to interview some 5,000 Middle Eastern men, who are in the U.S. on temporary visas. In places like Dearborn, Michigan, with a large Arab-American population, people fear this could be an opening to racial profiling, and they're worried that American citizens of Arab descent could be next.

Joining us now from Detroit is Imad Hamad, the Midwest regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee -- welcome. Thank you very much for joining us this morning, Mr. Hamad.

IMAD HAMAD, AMERICAN-ARAB ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE: Thank you for inviting me -- thank you for inviting me.

ZAHN: So what do you make of this compromise? Because originally, the plan was to have investigators go door to door. Does this letter take some of the sting out of the process?

HAMAD: Well, actually, this letter comes to be very persistent with the two principles announced to govern this process. One, that these people are not suspects, and they are not to be treated as suspects. And second, that the process is voluntary. And there is no better approach to preserve the integrity of the commitment that the U.S. Department of Justice made that this process is solely voluntary, and these people are not suspects.

However, the whole issue sparks very serious concerns regarding the line of the questioning that these people are going to be asked. It seems like at the same time we call it voluntary, and we call these people are not suspects, the line of the questions falls within the typical criminal investigation, and more of a suspect nature than just voluntary.

ZAHN: So you think those questions are inappropriate then? That's what you're saying. Are you telling those folks not to answer those questions?

HAMAD: Well, I'm not suggesting that. I'm saying that this process is still a matter of concern, especially with the latest memo of the Immigration Service that was released yesterday, which states clearly that if anyone with any minor visa violation should be detained without bond. I think we cannot (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this massive investigation, which is unprecedented and based on age, gender and nationality as a simple tactic or a simple -- as a simple step (UNINTELLIGIBLE) investigating thousands and thousands of people.

If we link (ph) back to the 1,100 people who have been detained, denied legal access, no information being provided about them, about announcement of the marshal courts, about the visa screening program, and yesterday's INS memo, I think that people do not help but to feel that this is a form of racial profiling based on age, gender and nationality. And this brings very changed feelings, where people feel or wonder what could be next.

ZAHN: I want to come back to that within the context of some of the language in this letter. And on the screen, I'm going to put a small portion of the letter up, so people can analyze it.

This is if you would happen to get one of these, this is what it would read. It says: "Your name was brought to our attention because, among other things, you came to Michigan on a visa from a country where there are groups that support, advocate, or finance international terrorism. We have no reason to believe that you are, in any way, associated with terrorist activities. Nevertheless, you may know something that could be helpful in our efforts."

Now, you are saying that the average Arab-American picking up this letter would view even that language as racial profiling, even though the caveat is that, you know, "we have no reason to believe that you are, in any way, associated with terrorist activities?"

HAMAD: Well, let's put it this way. If there are suspects there, and there is a probable cause to pursue investigations, God bless our authorities, and God bless America. We all care for the safety of our nation, and the last thing we want to see is another horrible attack or ugly (ph) attack on our nation.

However, that doesn't make a good justification to put 5,000 people on the line questioning the details and the details of their life. And I think this is putting this segment of people on a limber (ph) situation. Then, if they cooperate and what does it mean, or what might (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the government here? And just the line of the questioning go as far as to asking details and details about information about the political make up of their own countries.

And these people are very concerned that they might be perceived in the eyes of the minds of so many of them, especially when they go back home. Keep in mind that these people are not U.S. citizens. They are not legal residents. Their final destination is to go back to their own countries. And the last thing they want is to be perceived -- quote/unquote -- "being informant or collaborated or revealed information that might be jeopardizing their fate or future."

The second thing then if they say no, and that's the process as it's defined as voluntary. And if they decline, they will look at as undeserved, as uncooperated, as unfriendly, and they might receive the heat from us here. And I think one other thing that I don't envy the government being in this position. I think the government is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) damn if they do with it, damn if they don't. And I understand that...

ZAHN: The same way, I guess, with those who, you know, have to answer these letters.

In closing, I wanted to bring this back, a personal question about you, to put this into context. Wasn't it roughly three years ago that the INS accused you of being a member of a Palestinian terrorist organization that has held up your U.S. citizenship? You have an appeal in play. How might all of this controversy surrounding this September 11 issue affect that process?

HAMAD: Well, first -- first, it was a baseless allegation, and the court of law made its judgment to clear me as of October 1, '97, and the final appeal was done and finalized by February, 1999. And my case was closed as of February, 1999. The only thing is pending, at this point of time, is for me to submit my citizenship application, which is due in the upcoming three weeks.

So I don't anticipate any complications. Our judicial system reviewed my case from A to Z and the very boring details of it. And there was nothing there to incriminate me by any means. So I see it as a blessing of being in America, and a blessing to have a judicial system with such integrity that ensures justice first and all.

ZAHN: Well, maybe the next time we talk with you, you will be, indeed, a U.S. citizen. We'd love to have you come back to update us on this process of these young men answering some of these questions.

HAMAD: It will be -- it will be my honor, believe me, to have the honor of the citizenship and be a member of this great nation is the most (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in this world. And I look forward to have my dream fulfilled.

ZAHN: All right. Thank you.

HAMAD: Thank you.

ZAHN: Best wishes to your family -- Imad Hamad...

HAMAD: Thank you.

ZAHN: ... again, thank you for your time this morning.

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