ACLU of Maryland Announces Hotline for Immigrants To Be Questioned by FBI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE-In response to the Department of Justice’s plan to interview thousands of Middle Eastern men across the country, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland today announced the creation of a “Know Your Rights” telephone hotline for the approximately 85 men in the state who have been targeted for questioning by the FBI.
“We are concerned that the innocent men who have been targeted for questioning — based on absolutely nothing other than their country of origin — are unaware of their constitutional rights or the possible adverse consequences of agreeing to be questioned,” said David Rocah, staff attorney at the ACLU of Maryland. “The FBI agents will not just be asking questions about terrorism.”
The purpose of the hotline is to inform the men about their constitutional rights, the questions that the FBI will ask, the option to decline an interview and the option to bring an attorney to an interview. Additionally, callers will be informed about the possibility of being detained or deported if, for example, the FBI determines that the individual has lied in the interview or has overstayed his visa.
A panel of ACLU cooperating attorneys have volunteered to counsel everyone who calls, and will accompany the men to their interviews should they so desire.
Even though these men are not suspects in the terrorist investigation, they will be asked personal questions about their political beliefs, their travels, and to provide telephone numbers of family and friends, according to Rocah. Also, if an agent discovers an immigration violation during questioning, the person could be detained without bond.
Similar hotlines have been set up by ACLU affiliates in Florida, Michigan and Oregon. Anyone who is contacted for an interview as part of the DOJ investigation who wishes to speak with an attorney can advise the law enforcement agents that they don’t want to talk then, and should contact the ACLU hotline right away.
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in National Security
-
ACLU Acknowledges Improvements to DOJ Racial Profiling Policy, But Says Far More is Needed
-
ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward
-
Shen v. Simpson
-
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.