Resource Guide

Anti- Discrimination Resource Guide: A Compilation Overview I. General Introduction Personal Coping and Grieving after Tragedy PHR Statement on September 11 Attack II. Hate Crimes, Health and Safety US Organizations Monitoring Hate Crimes Hate Crimes: Scope of the Problem / Racial Profiling Impact of Hate Crimes on Health The Bottom Line: Personal Safety III. Promoting Tolerance: Parents, Youth & Educators Teaching & Educational Resources to Promote Tolerance Advice to Educators from the ADC Youth Discussion Forum Support for Students IV. Actions Actions in Your Communities to Promote Tolerance Letter Writing Information Personal Actions against Discrimination Discrimination in the Workplace V. Immigrant Rights and Resources Know Your Rights In Case of Arrest / Detention Resources on Immigration and Legal Services Additional Related Resources For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Since September 11, civil rights groups and community-based organizations around the country have received several hundred complaints alleging crimes apparently motivated by bias and hate. In Mesa, Arizona, a Sikh man was shot dead, additionally, in Mesa, shots were fired at a Lebanese clerk and at the home of an Afghan family. An Egyptian-American grocer was shot and killed near his store in San Gabriel, California and a storeowner from Pakistan was shot dead in Dallas, Texas. Allegedly, three teens threw a molotov cocktail (a firebomb) at a store owned by an Indian man in Somerset, Massachusetts and are now on trial. An Australian man was stabbed in San Francisco as he defended himself and his South Asian friend against 5 men who had surrounded them. Human Rights Watch reports, "Beatings and other violent assaults were reported across the country, as were death and bomb threats. Mosques and Sikh temples have been shot at, vandalized, and defaced, and bricks were thrown through the window of an Islamic bookstore in Virginia. At several US universities, foreign students from the Middle East and South Asia have been targeted for attacks, and some have chosen to leave the country because they feared additional attacks. Throughout the country, affected community members have been afraid to leave their homes, go to work or wear traditional clothing for fear of possible hate crimes against them." Incidents of racial bias are increasingly being reported as well. As airports opened up across the nation to passengers, South Asians and Arabs were being asked to get off the planes by airline staff without any proof of suspicious behavior. Middle Eastern and South Asian community members have canceled flight plans because they don't want to be hassled and viewed as criminals. Hate crimes are no ordinary crimes. By their nature, these crimes are intended to intimidate an entire community -- not just an individual victim. The World Health Organization, (WHO) defines health as, "…a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Intimidation from hate crimes can cause mental health anguish, loss of time from work leading to severe financial consequences, unjust defamation of character, distress on children and the list goes on. Racial profiling may cause communities to feel fear and tension. PHR recognizes that many communities have experienced hate and racial bias before September 11, 2001. In the wake of this tremendous tragedy, fear has permeated to the national level. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), this fear can exacerbate existing racism and distrust between groups and classification of people, especially in a diverse country such as the US. The APA encourages people to recognize the diversity within the US as an opportunity for unity and strength. Discrimination and hate crimes are violations of internationally declared human rights and defy the very fabric of freedom and justice. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states in articles 2, 3, and 25 that everyone has the right to all freedoms in the declaration, including health and security of person, without distinction of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Article 29 states that in exercising one's freedoms, "…everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society." PHR has compiled this resource guide in response to the increased reporting of hate crimes and racial bias since the September 11th national tragedy. This is NOT a comprehensive guide, nor are we endorsing any particular agency. This compilation includes work from many communities and activists who have been For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. fighting hate crimes for many years. You will find, among other things, lists of actions to promote tolerance, agencies that are tracking hate crimes, a web site for youth discussion, and links to related resources. We encourage you to report hate crimes and contact agencies to help in promoting tolerance and safety for you and your neighbors. PERSONAL COPING AND GRIEVING FROM THE TRAGEDY Hotlines and websites to visit are listed on www.helping.org Includes resources on connecting families, how to talk with your children, grief email lists, prayer groups, finding a psychologist, recovering stranded pets and more. PHR STATEMENT ON ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11 Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) condemns all those who planned, assisted with, and carried out the heinous crimes committed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. These were not simply attacks on the United States and its people but an assault on the most basic principles of universal human rights: respect for human life and dignity - values that transcend culture, nation, and religion. The perpetrators who committed these grotesque acts must be brought to justice. The condolences of our staff and board go out to those who have lost loved ones and to those who continue searching for answers from the wreckage. Our work to support families who have suffered horrendous losses from atrocities on virtually every continent makes PHR painfully familiar with the agonizing quest for information when loved ones are missing due to organized terror. Our hearts go out to those who mourn, and those who cling to hope as they wait for a shred of evidence about their loved ones' fates. As the world grieves for the loss of life and safety that the perpetrators have inflicted, PHR urges both governments and individuals to strengthen their resolve to protect the health and human rights of all people. It is incumbent upon the United States and its allies to respond to this crisis in a manner that respects international humanitarian and human rights law. At this time when so many people feel fear and anger, there is a risk that these emotions will be misdirected. It is imperative that the U.S. government and all Americans reinforce through their words and actions that only those who did these deeds and those who enabled them shall be held responsible. Religious, ethnic, and national groups must not be branded with guilt by association, subjected to discrimination, or suffer infringement of their civil liberties at home and abroad. PHR calls on all of our colleagues in the health professions and in the struggle for human rights in the United States and abroad to reach out to their communities to promote tolerance and work to prevent local incidents of hate and violence. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. II. HATE CRIMES, HEALTH & SAFETY U.S. ORGANIZATIONS MONITORING HATE CRIMES From Human Rights Watch: Below is a list of organizations that are monitoring hate crimes against Muslims, Sikhs and People of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent in the United States. If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime, please contact one of these organizations immediately. You could also call your local police department. American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Hate Crimes Hotline: 800-552-6843 Incident Report/Discrimination Claim [PDF form] Web site: http://www.adc.org American Civil Liberties Union Phone: 212-549-2500 Email: aclu@aclu.org Web site: http://www.aclu.org Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Phone: 212-760-9110 or 212-966-5932 Fax: 212-966-4303 Email: sling@aaldef.org or mfung@aaldef.org Web site: http://www.aaldef.org Council on American-Islamic Relations Phone: 202-488-8787 Fax: 202-488-0833 Email: cair@cair-net.org Web site: http://www.cair-net.org Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM) Hotline For South Asians in NYC & NJ: 212-631-3689 Indian American Center for Political Awareness Phone: 202-289-3654 Fax: 202-347-7750 Email: iacfpa@iacfpa.org Web site: http://www.iacfpa.org/ Sikh Media Watch Web site: http://www.sikh.org/hatecrime/ Email: hateagainstsikhs@yahoo.com U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Hate Crimes Hotline: 1-800-522-6843 Web site: http://www.usccr.gov/ For organizations monitoring hate crimes in other countries go to: www.hrw.org/campaigns/september11/hatewatch.htm For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM OF HATE CRIMES IN THE U.S. http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hatecm.htm Preliminary figures show 7,947 hate crime incidents were reported to the FBI during 1995. The incidents were reported by more than 9,500 law enforcement agencies in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Participating agencies covered 75 percent of the U.S. population. Find out more at their website. www.hate-crime.net A network of advocates, documenting incidents of hate crimes and sharing resources for all victims worldwide http://www.lambda.org/avp_gen.htm Lambda’s Anti-Violence Project and the Hate Crimes Documentation service are part of the Community Services that Lambda offers. Find out more about anti-LGBTH incidents (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive) and how to take action to promote tolerance. www.saalt.org South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow has published a Bias Incident report on incidents to people of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent. The report is based on incidents reported in the media since September 11, 2001. www.napalc.org National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium collects and publishes an audit of Anti-Asian Violence. In Jan 2000, this organization released the 1999 audit of violence against Asian Pacific Americans. RACIAL PROFILING American Civil Liberties Union http://www.aclu.org/profiling/ The ACLU suggests action on racial profiling, collects feedback on incidents of racial profiling, and lists updates on legislation. However, they also offer reports and updates on legislation on rights of immigrants, people living with HIV/AIDS, gay and lesbian, women, prisoners…and more. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. IMPACT OF HATE CRIMES ON HEALTH (Adapted from www.stopthehate.org) Hate crimes are unique. Victims of hate crimes are targeted because of a core characteristic of their identity. These attributes cannot be changed. Victims often feel degraded, frightened, vulnerable and suspicious. This may be one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives. Community members who share with victims the characteristics that made them targets of hate (race, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender, disability or sexual orientation) may also feel vulnerable, fearful, and powerless. In this emotional atmosphere, a strong holistic approach joining law enforcement and recovery resources can help stabilize and calm the community, while aiding the victim’s recovery. Victim Trauma Given that the basis for the attack is the victim's identity, victim(s) may suffer: Deep personal crisis Increased vulnerability to repeat attack Sense of community/system betrayal Acute shock and disbelief Extreme fear of certain groups (xenophobia) Hopelessness Anger/desire for revenge Shame and humiliation Community Trauma Hate crimes victimize the entire community and may involve: Victimization projected to all community members Sense of group vulnerability Community tension/fear Possibility of reactive crimes or copycat incidents Community polarization Redirection of law enforcement resources Loss of trust in criminal justice institutions Public damage, i.e. buildings such as churches/synagogues/mosques/temples Learn more about health and trauma from hate crimes From the following websites: American Psychological Association www.apa.org/pubinfo/hate/ National Association of Social Workers www.naswdc.org/terror/barnes.htm For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. THE BOTTOM LINE - PERSONAL SAFETY This advice is adapted from www.stopthehate.org Don't suffer alone. Tell someone: a friend, parent or relative, teacher, trusted adult, coach, principal, guidance counselor, peer leader, police officer, religious leader. What to Do if You are a Victim of a Hate Crime You have a right to feel safe and to be protected from hate crimes and other violations of your civil rights. If someone hurts you because of your race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or some other aspect of your identity, here are some steps you can take:  If you or someone else is in danger, call your local police. In many areas, "911" is the best number to call in an emergency.  Unless you fear for your safety, talk to the person who is hurting you or harassing you and ask him/her to STOP. Sometimes an aggressor simply needs to see the victim stand up for himself or herself and then will stop the hurtful behavior. Remember, it is NOT YOUR FAULT.  If the incident happens at school, your school has a responsibility to protect you. Tell a school official, a teacher, principal, counselor, school nurse, or other school staff person. If you are not in immediate danger but have experienced a threat, harassment or denial of service and you think it is a racially/ ethnically related, you may still report the incident to the agencies listed in this guide. Read more about personal safety and FBI Guidelines on what constitutes a hate crime at www.ou.edu/oupd/hate.htm. More general safety tips: www.lambda.org/safety_tips.htm For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. III. PROMOTING TOLERANCE: PARENTS, YOUTH & EDUCATORS TEACHING & EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE (for parents, educators, students and communities) www.teachingtolerance.org Comprehensive resources and links to teaching and educational materials focused on tolerance. www.adc.org American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has many educational resources and helpful advice. http://www.esrnational.org/ Educators for Social Responsibility has listed resources for teachers such as lesson plans on stereotypes, how to guide discussions on discrimination and propaganda, facts on Arab-Americans and more. . . www.peaceculture.net/ Useful stories for children to help counter hatred and bias. http://www.adl.org/issue_education/Hate_and_violence.html Resources for parents on talking to kids about anti-bias. http://www.globalyouthconnect.org/ Resource for youth working to defend human rights and social justice. www.nohate.org Arizona based group promoting tolerance, respect and dignity www.facinghistory.org This group promotes teachers and students to engage in discussions of history, racism, prejudice and antisemitism. There are also activities such as speakers and discussions to engage the community. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. ADVICE TO EDUCATORS FROM THE ADC The advice below is taken from the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee website. Go to their website: http://www.adc.org/index.html for more information. Like millions of their fellow citizens, Arab Americans and Muslims stood around the TV, watching in horror and disbelief as one attack after another took place against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11th. Unlike other Americans, however, many quickly found themselves the object of suspicion and hostility. Arab American and Muslim organizations issued immediate condemnations of the attacks, but just as in the Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, and other moments of crisis, the Arab and Muslim communities are being targeted by a wave of hostility and harassment. Two Arab-American groceries in the Philadelphia area were looted. A store owner in Westchester, New York, was assaulted with pepper spray. Two young Muslim women were beaten in Illinois. Arab American organizations are receiving hate mail and hate calls. Similarly, during the Gulf war, in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, and other moments of crisis, Arab Americans and Muslims experienced waves of hate crimes, physical assaults, bombings, death threats, and harassment. It is important to note that many organizations and institutions have issued statements of support and calls to avoid anti-Arab harassment. In Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan, the cities with the largest ArabAmerican populations, Arab-American and Muslim leaders condemned the attacks and the mayors of the two cities appealed to the public to avoid ethnic scapegoating. YOUTH DISCUSSION FORUMS Global Youth Connect- GYC Discussion Forum gycdiscuss-subscribe@yahoogroups.com In response to the September 11th tragedy in the United States and in remembrance of other important ongoing global issues in numerous countries around the world, Global Youth Connect has created an e-mail discussion forum for young people (and adult allies) who are interested in a cross-cultural, international dialogue about the impact of recent events on our lives and on our future. This e-mail forum is designed to provide a constructive place for young people from many cultures and backgrounds to openly express their opinions and find common ground. More than ever, young people need to educate each other and find solutions to promote peace and human rights for all the world's citizens. To join the GYC discussion listserv, send an e-mail to gycdiscuss-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Please note: DO NOT send postings to globalyouthconnect@yahoogroups.com For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS (cited from www.adc.org) Arab-American and Muslim students may be experiencing anxiety and confusion over the attacks, fearful of the danger of personal harassment, and suffering from a sense of shame or stigma from being identified with the suspected perpetrators of the attacks. During the Gulf War, many Arab-American students felt intimidated and silenced. Some felt that they had to keep their ethnicity a secret and let anti-Arab remarks go unchallenged. Some wanted to change their names. Non-Arab students may be feeling a sense of vulnerability, righteous indignation, anger or hostility which is seeking any available target. Educators should take steps to address these potential problems: 1) Public Statements: It is very helpful for school officials, university presidents and deans, student government leaders, religious leaders and others to issue public statements that innocent people should not be blamed for the acts of others. Let those who are upset and angry know that anti-Arab and antiMuslim assaults, harassment, insults, and hate speech are the wrong response to this tragedy. This could take the form of statements to the mass media, addresses to school or university assemblies, community forums, and articles in campus or local newspapers. 2) Educational Forums: Schools and universities can set up forums and discussion groups to discuss the attacks, give students a chance to express their views, and make clear what are inappropriate ways to respond. The impulse to retaliate can be an instinctive demand for justice, but justice can never be served by blindly striking out in ways which victimize innocent people. Reaffirm the inherent value of all human life. It is important to invite members of the Arab-American and Muslim communities to speak to students. The most effective way to counteract hostile stereotypes is through coming into personal contact with other communities. Invite speakers and show videos on the Arab world and Islam. Remind students that the Arab world is an entire civilization with a rich and sophisticated cultural heritage. It is not merely a place of political conflict and violence. ADC can assist in providing speakers and films. 3) Counseling: Schools and universities should make counseling available to all students who may wish to discuss their more personal and private concerns. Arab-American students can be referred to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for information, consultation, and support. (ADC, 4201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20008; 202-244-2990; adc@adc.org; www.adc.org) For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. IV. ACTIONS ACTIONS TO TAKE IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE 1. Get involved with Urgent Actions. Go to www.phrusa.org for current action alerts and frequent updates. 2. Remember the civil rights movement and read about other peoples' movements in other countries. 3. Write Congress and pay attention to legislation developments, which may cross the line in terms of civil liberties. 4. Actively invite members of diverse communities and organizations to attend any events you organize. 5. Learn about a culture that is new to you and the history of its immigrants in the US. 6. Work with campus safety/local authorities to have workshops on racial profiling, tolerance and hate crimes. 7. Learn about racial profiling and how this may be affecting your friends from different backgrounds. 8. Pro-actively offer to co-sponsor events with multicultural organizations. 9. Advertise anti-discrimination events at your school, in your community, and to the media. 10. Contact local Islamic Centers and ask if you can help in any way. 11. Take a conversation course in another language that is spoken in your community. 12. Appreciate the diversity in your community: shop at ethnic specialty grocery stores, try different restaurants, support local businesses. LETTER WRITING INFORMATION You may consider writing letters to university presidents, local mayors, governors, and local police chiefs about concerns on racial profiling, requests for tolerance workshops, and concerns about hate crimes. You may also include a statement of recognition of their important work during this difficult time. Here is some key contact information for US and UN leaders: president@whitehouse.gov vice.president@whitehouse.gov first.lady@whitehouse.gov mrs.cheney@whitehouse.gov To find US Senators: www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm To find US Congressperson: www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html For a comprehensive list of ways to contact members of Congress and the President www.visi.com/juan/congress/ www.house.gov/writerep/ www.congress.org UNITED NATIONS Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations E-mail: ecu@un.org For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. PERSONAL ACTIONS TO TAKE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION Adapted from Teaching Tolerance - www.tolerance.org 1. Start with yourself. Look within. Become aware of your own anger, frustration, and bias. Identify ways of channeling your emotions in constructive ways to fight bigotry and promote peace, inclusion, and justice. The country is going through a grieving process that is now moving from shock to anger. As we deal with our own grief and offer solace and aid to the many who suffered loss, we must embrace the anger in us with understanding and restraint. If we are to act out of justice rather than revenge, we must take the time to learn who the perpetrators are, why they committed this horrific act, what our nation's role may be in the expression of this violence, and how we can respond in a way that does not promote an ongoing spiral of hatred and violence. Find ways of acting out of commitment to peace rather than acting out of the temptation to avenge and violence. It is more important now than ever to look carefully at our own bias, bigotry and racism. 2. Commit to learning more. Stay informed about world events and about US policy developments. Teach yourself to inquire regularly about communities other than your own. Commit to taking a class on a culture or language foreign to you. 3. Identify and report hate that is directed toward individuals/ groups. A hate crime is any crime that is committed against an individual or group because of the individual's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic background, disability, gender or sexual orientation. Hate crimes are like terrorism. Not only are individual victims attacked, but the victim's entire group is meant to feel intimidated and unsafe. Citizens should identify and report such acts of hate to the police. If there is actual physical violence taking place, call 911. If one wishes to make a report of an incident that is not an emergency but requires investigation, call the non-emergency number for the police in your area. Other agencies to contact include the FBI and the Justice Department. The Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime's Family Assistance Center can be reached at 800-331-0075. See lists at the beginning of the guide for non-governmental agencies. 4. Reach out. Personal expressions of support and concern give comfort and confidence to groups threatened with violence. Voice your concern and support. Check your local phone book for listings that include American Arab organizations and mosques. Contacting these groups/communities and indicating your willingness to be supportive (leaving your contact information) builds solidarity that is the basis for collaborative efforts to support these communities. 5. Make a long-term commitment to stand together. Just as there must be a long-term commitment to those who have suffered personal and other kinds of loss because of this attack, our commitment to support and protect targeted communities should be intentional and long-term. Find out what you can do today, but also ask: "What can I do 2 weeks from now, 6 months from now, a year from now?" 6. Worship with targeted groups/communities, if you are a person of faith. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. One way of expressing ally-ship is to participate in the worship services of those who feel threatened. People from the targeted communities represent many different faiths; however, the Muslim community represents a large number of these people. Worship within the Muslim community is open to all people. Attend Friday services at a local mosque; organize an interfaith service. 7. Contact public institutions and officials to encourage their continuing support for targeted groups. The support of political and religious leaders is critical to confront inappropriate expressions of hatred and anger. We must not allow hysteria and stereotyping to pull us down into the cycle of hate perpetuated by those responsible. Call or write local, state and federal representatives asking them to make public statements. If you are a person of faith, ask religious elders to make a plea for calmness and tolerance. 8. Speak out against bigotry and publicly stand with targeted groups. Express your position through letters to the editor and to other media. E-mail friends, family and neighbors to encourage their participation in solidarity actions and events. Organize meetings that inform people about the current need and provide an opportunity for identifying specific strategies in your community to protect those who are threatened. Find ways to express both patriotism and support and concern for people who are innocent and now face the brunt of our nation's anger and rage. The rage may be directed at us if we stand with targeted communities, especially in the face of the heightened emotionalism and the understandable desire for revenge. As allies, we need to discover ways of supporting one another as we stand with the groups who are being targeted. 9. Make a personal connection with a person/family from a targeted group. Seek to provide personal support and help. Volunteer to escort targeted people in public places. Make a point to "check in" with the person/family over time; help meet their everyday physical and emotional needs. 10. Join organizations that are working to build inclusive communities. See this guide for organizations working to eliminate hate crimes and protect the rights of immigrants. 11. Know your rights, especially if you are an immigrant or non-citizen. DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE Equal Employment Opportunity Commission http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-relig_ethnic.html The EEOC has released a statement which clearly outlines how the EEOC protects from discrimination of religion, ethnicity or country of origin. There is a place to file charges of discrimination in the workplace. Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law http://www.lawyerscomm.org/ Review legislation information on discrimination at place of employment and other legislation on hate crimes. If you are not in immediate danger but have experienced a threat, harassment or denial of service etc… and you think it is a racially/ethnically related, you may still report the incident to the appropriate agencies listed in this guide. Read more about personal safety and FBI Guidelines on what constitutes a hate crime www.ou.edu/oupd/hate.htm or http://www.lambda.org/safety_tips.htm For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. V. IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS & RESOURCES KNOW YOUR RIGHTS The following information explaining an individual's legal rights is being provided courtesy of the National Lawyers Guild www.nlg.org. What rights do I have? Immigrants and non-citizens inside the United States have all of these rights, too.  The Right to Advocate for Change. The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects the rights of groups and individuals who advocate changes in laws, government practices, and even the form of government. However, the Supreme Court says that it is not illegal for INS to target non-citizens for deportation because of their First Amendment activities, as long as it could deport them for other reasons. This means the INS could specially target a student who worked without authorization or a visitor who overstayed a visa because it dislikes his or her speech, views or associations with individual and groups.  The Right to Remain Silent. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides that every person has the right to remain silent in the face of questions posed by any police officer or government agent.  The Right to Be Free from "Unreasonable Searches and Seizures." The Fourth Amendment is supposed to protect your privacy. Without a warrant, no government agent is allowed to search your home or office and you can refuse to let them in. IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN CASE OF ARREST / DETENTION from www.nlg.org and www.aila.org The most important thing to do is carry with you ALL THE TIME the name and number of an attorney who will take your calls. If you are a legal permanent resident, you should carry your green card as well. Navigating the immigration system by yourself is extremely difficult. Congress is considering new laws that will give the INS extra power to swiftly deport people it thinks are "terrorists." There also are many laws on the books that INS could decide to use against people it wishes to arrest or detain. As soon as you encounter an INS agent, call your attorney. If you can't do it right away, keep trying. YOU must assert these rights; INS will not do it for you. If you do not demand these rights or if you sign documents waiving your rights, the INS may deport you before you see either an attorney or a judge. Leaving the US in this way may have serious consequences for your ability to later enter or to gain legal immigration status in the United States. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. Know and Assert Your Rights The immigration laws are complex and many changes are being proposed in response to September 11, the following information may change. You must consult an attorney to know your rights. Based on existing laws, regulations and INS guidelines, non-citizens generally have the following rights, regardless of your immigration status:  You have the right to speak to an attorney before answering any questions or signing any documents. You have the right to call an attorney or your family if you are detained and you have the right to be visited by an attorney in detention. You have the right to have your attorney with you at immigration hearings with INS. You do not, however, have the right to a government-appointed attorney, so you must hire one or find someone who will represent you for free. If you need help finding an attorney, contact the organizations at the end of this document and they will try to find attorneys to help you.  If you are arrested or detained, the INS must decide in 48 hours whether to put you into immigration proceedings and whether to keep you in custody or to release you on bond. Under a new regulation issued on September 17, the INS has an "additional reasonable period of time" in the event of "an emergency or other extraordinary circumstance" to make the decisions whether to keep you or release you. This regulation may be illegal. It is very new, so make sure your attorney talks to national immigration rights organizations if this is the reason INS is keeping you in detention (see the end of the document for organizations).  You have the right to request release from detention even if INS hasn't said why it wants to deport you. In most cases you have the right to request release from detention by paying a bond if necessary, or to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge - even if you have not been formally charged with an immigration violation. However, the law does not set a specific period of time by which an immigration judge must hear your case. In some cases, the law mandates detention. These circumstances include persons charged with terrorism or with certain criminal convictions. The law also authorizes the continued detention of persons who an immigration judge finds are dangers to society or a flight risks.  In most cases, you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge to determine whether you have violated the immigration laws. If you have criminal convictions, were picked up by INS when you came into the U.S., or have been ordered deported in the past, you must talk to an attorney about whether you have this right and what other legal alternatives you might have. Talk to an immigration lawyer before leaving the United States. Non-citizens may be barred from coming back to the U.S. if they fall into certain categories of people barred from entering. This includes some lawful permanent residents and applicants for green cards. Some non-citizens who have been in the U.S. without INS permission may be permanently barred from re-entering. In addition, some non-citizens who leave the U.S. and return without INS permission may be swiftly removed from the U.S. if they end up in immigration proceedings. Talk to an immigration lawyer, if you are unsure of your rights. Contact these groups for more legal information  American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Report hate crimes and harassment against Arab Americans and Muslims to ADC: (202) 244-2990.  National Lawyers Guild National office: (212) 627-2656 www.nlg.org Find out more about your rights and what you should know if your house is searched, you suspect that you are being monitored or you are detained.  National Immigration Project: (617) 227-9727 Immigration Law Center Immigration law information is available on www.nilc.org. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL SERVICES RESOURCES American Immigration Lawyers Association www.aila.org phone: 202-216-2400 The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national bar association of over 7,200 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. AILA Member attorneys represent tens of thousands of US families who have applied for permanent residence for their spouses, children, and other close relatives to lawfully enter and reside in the United States. AILA Members also represent thousands of US businesses and industries who sponsor highly skilled foreign workers seeking to enter the United States in a temporary or--having proven the unavailability of US workers--permanent basis. AILA Members also represent foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. American Civil Liberties Union www.aclu.org/profiling The ACLU suggests action on racial profiling, collects feedback on incidents of racial profiling, and lists updates on legislation. However, they also offer reports and updates on legislation on rights of immigrants, people living with HIV/AIDS, gay and lesbian, women, prisoners and more. Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law www.centerforhumanrights.org The Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law is a non-profit, public interest legal foundation dedicated to furthering and protecting the civil, constitutional, and human rights of immigrants, refugees, indigenous peoples, children, and the poor. Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law www.lawyerscomm.org Review legislation information on discrimination at place of employment and other legislation on hate crimes. National Network for Immigration and Refugee Rights www.nnirr.org This is a national organization comprised of local coalitions and immigrant, refugee, community, religious, civil rights and labor organizations and activists. This organization works to promote fair immigrant and refugee policy in the United States and recently published a report on Anti-Immigrant Racism. New York Association for New Americans www.nyana.org phone: 212-898-4180 This is a resettlement agency, which offers information for immigrants and refugees, immigration policy updates, answers to legal questions, and services for employers. Consultations are available at Immigration Legal Clinics offered at seven sites throughout Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Fees are based on individual or family income. Services can be provided in English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, and other languages. For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org. OTHER RESOURCES Physicians for Human Rights www.phrusa.org Human Rights Watch www.hrw.org United Nations www.un.org Look under the Human Rights section to find the UN Declaration of Human Rights American Psychological Association www.apa.org Lawyer's Committee for Human Rights www.lchr.org Amnesty International www.amnesty.org Report: "The Backlash - Human Rights at Risk throughout the World." FBI Civil Rights www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/civilrts.htm US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division -- National Origin Working Group Initiative to Combat Post-Terrorism Discrimination www.usdoj.gov/crt/nordwg.html Includes a link to a brochure titled "Federal Protections Against National Origin Discrimination." For more information on PHR’s response to the events and aftermath of September 11 th, go to www.phrusa.org.