Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
INS Detainees From Northern California Experiencing Severe Human Rights Violations in SD
SF based Iranian lawyer, Banafsheh Akhlaghi met with several of the Iranian detainees, whom she is representing, at the San Diego INS offices today (Sunday Dec. 22.) The interviews came after days of the detainees being held in isolation with no opportunities to speak with either their Akhlaghi or their families. The detainees reported severe human rights abuses, which were confirmed upon Akhlaghi's visit.
Banafsheh Akhlaghi, together with represeentatives from various human rights activist groups, demonstrated today in protest of the gross violations on the civil liberties of the Iranian INS detainees, several of whom she is representing.
After several hours of protesting as well as the threatening presence of a number of network journalists, Akhlaghi was able to see her clients whom she has been unable to speak with for the last 48 hours. Upon interviewing them, severe violations of their basic human rights were confirmed, including sleep deprivation, long term exposure to severe cold, inadequate hygenic facilities, along with a number of other shocking mistreatments.
A representative for Akhlaghi will be speaking at 11 am on Monday December 23, at the San Francisco INS District Offices at: 444 Washington Street
San Francisco, CA regarding Akhlaghi's interviews with the detainees and the human rights abuses confirmed during them.
After several hours of protesting as well as the threatening presence of a number of network journalists, Akhlaghi was able to see her clients whom she has been unable to speak with for the last 48 hours. Upon interviewing them, severe violations of their basic human rights were confirmed, including sleep deprivation, long term exposure to severe cold, inadequate hygenic facilities, along with a number of other shocking mistreatments.
A representative for Akhlaghi will be speaking at 11 am on Monday December 23, at the San Francisco INS District Offices at: 444 Washington Street
San Francisco, CA regarding Akhlaghi's interviews with the detainees and the human rights abuses confirmed during them.
For more information:
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/new...
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
The INS registration is racial profiling, rather than anything else. As a result I had an interview with FOX news channel in Sacramento, before the registration deadline. My purpose was to alert everyone and give awareness. For full details of the interview, please see the transcript below:
New Immigration Rules Create Controversy
Christine Umayam
November 18, 2002, 8:40 PM PST
SACRAMENTO -- New immigration rules are now in effect, and they're causing controversy.
The rules require foreign male visitors of Arab descent to check in with the INS.
Some Arab Americans say they're being unfairly targeted, and that it's another form of racial profiling.
Namvar Khalilnaji says he's encountered discrimination ever since he immigrated here from Iran almost 30 years ago.
He says the latest order from the INS is another form of discrimination.
"If you want to call it anything, it seems like racial profiling more than anything else," he said.
But government officials say it's not. They argue it's an effective way of tracking down foreigners.
They're now requiring foreign male students or businessmen from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya and the Sudan to check in.
Those men be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed.
The new rules do not apply to women visitors of Arab descent.
Many Arab men have been ordered to report to immigration offices by December 16th or possibly face deportation.
Government officials say it's an important step for national security.
Jorge Martinez of the INS believes the mandate will focus on individuals who might pose a threat to the United States.
The agency's focus will mostly affect foreign businessman and international students.
"There's a problem there, there's an issue there when there's a certain region in this world that are considered criminal," said one UC Davis student.
College students we talked to believe it's wrong for the U.S. to target certain people now, as it did years ago.
"During World War Two, my relatives were sent to concentration camps because they were Japanese and I really see that kind of racism manifest itself today," said one student.
As for Namvar, he hopes the government will focus more on foreign policy instead of individuals.
"It has nothing to do with single individuals, who came to the U.S. for a better life, for a better work, for a better advancement in their career," he said.
Copyright © 2002, KTXL
New Immigration Rules Create Controversy
Christine Umayam
November 18, 2002, 8:40 PM PST
SACRAMENTO -- New immigration rules are now in effect, and they're causing controversy.
The rules require foreign male visitors of Arab descent to check in with the INS.
Some Arab Americans say they're being unfairly targeted, and that it's another form of racial profiling.
Namvar Khalilnaji says he's encountered discrimination ever since he immigrated here from Iran almost 30 years ago.
He says the latest order from the INS is another form of discrimination.
"If you want to call it anything, it seems like racial profiling more than anything else," he said.
But government officials say it's not. They argue it's an effective way of tracking down foreigners.
They're now requiring foreign male students or businessmen from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya and the Sudan to check in.
Those men be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed.
The new rules do not apply to women visitors of Arab descent.
Many Arab men have been ordered to report to immigration offices by December 16th or possibly face deportation.
Government officials say it's an important step for national security.
Jorge Martinez of the INS believes the mandate will focus on individuals who might pose a threat to the United States.
The agency's focus will mostly affect foreign businessman and international students.
"There's a problem there, there's an issue there when there's a certain region in this world that are considered criminal," said one UC Davis student.
College students we talked to believe it's wrong for the U.S. to target certain people now, as it did years ago.
"During World War Two, my relatives were sent to concentration camps because they were Japanese and I really see that kind of racism manifest itself today," said one student.
As for Namvar, he hopes the government will focus more on foreign policy instead of individuals.
"It has nothing to do with single individuals, who came to the U.S. for a better life, for a better work, for a better advancement in their career," he said.
Copyright © 2002, KTXL
Boxer
403-0100
Frankenstien
393-0707
403-0100
Frankenstien
393-0707
Unfortunately, the racial profiling that increased after the September 11 tragedy, Has resulted in the mass arrest of Iranians and other Middle Easterners. The INS would not commit this inhuman injustice without thge approval of the Justice Department under Ashcroft. And guess what? Ashcroft would not carry this policy without the order of his boss. What is next? Concentration camps? again?
Shame on INS!
Shame on INS!
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$230.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network