INS Detains Hundreds of Muslim and Middle Eastern Immigrants in California

December 20, 2002

Source: United Press International

http://www.Beliefnet.com/story/119/story_11903_1.html

On December 20, 2002, United Press International reported "Muslim and U.S. rights groups have urged the Bush administration to review its policies toward Muslim immigrants in the United States... Muslim advocacy groups say that American Muslims have been living in fear and uncertainty since the Bush administration's crackdown on immigrants from Islamic countries... Officials at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington confirmed that 'otherwise legal and law abiding residents' have been detained for minor violations. But one official said the action was needed to prevent future terrorist attacks... Muslim advocacy groups called this a racist policy, which was targeting people for their religious beliefs and ethnic origin."