Department of Homeland Security Memo:
Profiling Pakistanis and Pakistani Americans:
Plan of Action

Background:

Department of Homeland Security has recently issued an alert that warns customs officers at six of America's busiest airports to watch for travelers of Pakistani descent who show physical signs of preparing for terror attacks against the U.S.

The bulletin says, "Officers should look for rope burns, unusual bruises, wounds/scars or other evidence that they engaged in paramilitary training..."

The unusually specific internal warning covers customs checkpoints at three East Coast airports -- New York's Kennedy, Newark, and Washington's Dulles, as well as international airports in Detroit, Chicago (O'Hare), and Los Angeles (LAX).

Difficult Situation:

This memo does raise concerns for all Pakistani Americans for the following reasons:
a) The previous DHS laws that were focused towards the immigration issues where Pakistani community members were significantly disproportionately punished and a selective implementation was noted.

b) The law now includes LEGAL RESIDENTS and LEGAL US CITIZENS.

c) Memo suggests profiling and excessive scrutiny of people of certain heritage.

d) There is a suggestion in this memo regarding individuals being considered guilty until proven innocent in this scenario.

SUGGESTED PLAN:

PAKPAC members have been in touch with many organizations regarding this memo. Here are some technical difficulties with respect to changing or modifying this memo.

a) This memo has not been initiated by a congressional law. Thus in order to have it removed using members of the congress will not be possible and practical especially with change in congress post elections.

b) The way to change the policy would require working with the executive government to change/ modify this action. This will require a coordinated approach.

c) Meanwhile a set of reasonable policies and guidelines need to be prepared to educate and prepare the Pakistani American community when they travel to and from Pakistan for business or personal family reasons.

PLAN:

a) Community brainstorming conference call: Anyone interested to join this please email us at info@pakpac.net Conference call time: Saturday 3rd of July 2004. 2 PM EST. (please email to receive numbers and access codes)

b) A Pakistani American organization planning leadership conference call Saturday 3rd of July 2004. 12 Noon EST. (please email info@pakpac.net to receive numbers and access codes)

c) Outreach to other national civil rights related organizations: (Being done)

d) Identifying key individuals with contacts with the department of homeland security:
i) To understand the implications of the memo in more details

ii) To help assess that this would not serve any purpose.

iii) To help formulate alternate more effective strategies.

Please do let us know your thoughts regarding this as well.

This memo should be a reminder for all people that times have changed and people no longer wait in the sidelines and not be passive about their rights.