ImmigrationProf Blog: Travel Advisory Related to Racial Profiling

“Responding to growing complaints of harassment at U.S. airports, the San Francisco-based Asian Law Caucus is issuing advice for U.S. citizens and immigrants repeatedly searched and questioned when returning to the United States. The new multi-lingual advisories will be distributed at cultural centers, places of worship, and other community institutions and are available at the group’s website, www.asianlawcaucus.org.

Since January, the Asian Law Caucus has received regular complaints from Muslim, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern individuals – including U.S. citizens – who say they are singled out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials each time they fly back to the country. Customs officials question travelers, sometimes for several hours, about their families, travels, religious practices, and political beliefs. In addition, agents examine reading material and other highly personal items travelers are carrying, including books, notes, cell phone directories, and files on laptop computers. When individuals complain, they have been told, “This is the border, and you have no rights.””*

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