By David B. Caruso
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA – The American Civil Liberties Union has begun distributing an Arabic-language “bust card” informing immigrants of their rights if confronted by a law enforcement officer.
The cards are being distributed following the announcement of a Justice Department plan to interview thousands of young Middle Eastern men as part of the terrorism investigation.
The cards inform immigrants that they have the right to remain silent, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and the right to speak with a lawyer, though they caution that those detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service do not get a court-appointed attorney.
“We want them to at least understand what their rights are,” said Lucas Guttentag, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. “We aren’t telling anyone, ‘Don’t cooperate,’ but we do want them to know they have a right to an attorney.”
Guttentag said the investigation has given rise to fears among foreigners that they might be detained or expelled if they decline to be interviewed or ask for a lawyer. But federal authorities have insisted that none will be punished for declining to be interviewed.
Authorities initially planned for most of the interviews to be conducted by state and local police officers, rather than federal agents. But police in at least two cities – Portland and Corvallis, Ore. – have declined to participate, saying the practice violates people’s rights.
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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