White House spokesmen attempted to distance themselves from Kirsanow’s comments, but defended him against demands from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights that he be removed from the commission.
Even as White House officials protested their commitment to the civil rights of Arab Americans, the government was escalating its witch-hunting measures against Middle Eastern and Muslim immigrants. Last Monday the Justice Department announced that it would use criminal penalties against immigrants and foreign visitors who failed to notify the government of a change of address within ten days.
On July 10, agents from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the FBI began conducting sweeps in shopping malls around the country targeting Pakistanis working in jewelry kiosks. Raids took place in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Dallas and at least one location in Connecticut.
Although no criminal charges have been filed, some of those caught up in the raids are being held for immigration violations, and about 60 people have been questioned. The government’s ostensible reason for the sweeps is to locate people sending money to Pakistan “to fund terror operations.” Since most immigrants in the US send money back home to their families, the government policy puts virtually all Pakistanis living in the US under suspicion of funding terrorism.
Even as White House officials protested their commitment to the civil rights of Arab Americans, the government was escalating its witch-hunting measures against Middle Eastern and Muslim immigrants. Last Monday the Justice Department announced that it would use criminal penalties against immigrants and foreign visitors who failed to notify the government of a change of address within ten days.
On July 10, agents from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the FBI began conducting sweeps in shopping malls around the country targeting Pakistanis working in jewelry kiosks. Raids took place in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Dallas and at least one location in Connecticut.
Although no criminal charges have been filed, some of those caught up in the raids are being held for immigration violations, and about 60 people have been questioned. The government’s ostensible reason for the sweeps is to locate people sending money to Pakistan “to fund terror operations.” Since most immigrants in the US send money back home to their families, the government policy puts virtually all Pakistanis living in the US under suspicion of funding terrorism.