Discrimination
Across the country, rights of individuals of Middle Eastern descent and of immigrants and racial minorities generally are being severely curtailed. More than 1,200 men from Middle Eastern or primarily Muslim countries were taken into custody in nationwide sweeps. These detentions are marked by secrecy and the denial of basic human rights, including the presumption of innocence. The Department of Justice has now implemented a special registration requirement directing males with temporary visas who are over the age of sixteen from North Korea and 24 Middle Eastern and Muslim countries to register with the INS. AI does not take issue per se with the requirement of registering foreign nationals. AI is concerned that immigration laws are being applied in a manner that places the safety and health of foreign nationals at risk and possibly violates protections against discrimination under US and international law.
