Source: The Associated Press
On December 13, 2003 The Associated Press reported that Arab-Americans are organizing politically in an unprecedented way, with activists forming umbrella organizations in at least nine states. State Arab American Leadership Councils have recently appeared in Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Arab-Americans in California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania plan to develop their own councils over the next few months. Muslims and Arab-Americans have been concerned about the roundup of hundreds of mostly Arab or Muslim immigrants by the U.S. Justice Department as part of the Sept. 11 investigation and the rule requiring tens of thousands of men from mostly Middle Eastern countries to register with immigration officials.