The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has released a "Know Your Rights" campaign directed toward Muslim immigrants to help them maneuver in and around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the country. This move comes in response to President Donald Trump's executive order to deport Hamas sympathizers on student visas.
The guide for "Muslim Americans ... And all other community members" from CAIR provides the following steps to encountering ICE should someone be detained during an immigrant raid:
- Your Right to Remain Silent: you do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, religious views, or political beliefs.
- Seek Legal Representation: if you are detained or questioned, request to speak with an attorney.
- Ask to See a Signed Warrant: ask federal law enforcement who seek to enter your home to provide a valid warrant signed by a judge.
- Document Everything: if it is safe to do so, record names, badge numbers, statements made, and the names of anyone taken into custody.
- Carry Identification and Make a Plan: keep proof of lawful status with you and develop a family preparedness plan in case of detentions.
Furthermore, CAIR shares with the Muslim immigrant population that ICE, under President Trump's administration, is willing to go into "sensitive areas" but still needs consent or a warrant to do so.
"On President Trump’s first day back in office, his administration rescinded an existing policy that previously protected certain 'sensitive areas' from immigration enforcement—places such as houses of worship, schools, and hospitals. However, ICE agents still need consent or a valid judicial warrant to enter private spaces and locations," the Muslim advocacy group states.
Moreover, the Muslim advocacy group CAIR described President Trump's executive order a "crackdown" on the First Amendment in regards to Muslim immigrants on student visas.
"Of particular alarm are Trump administration directives urging federal law enforcement to monitor the peaceful political activities of immigrants, such as attending pro-Palestinian human rights rallies and criticism of Israeli government actions, which represents an unprecedented crackdown on free speech and legal immigration," the Muslim advocacy group, CAIR wrote.
State Senator and U.S. House of Representatives District 6 hopeful Randy Fine (R-FL), a prominent Jewish legislator, commented to The Floridian regarding CAIR's latest campaign.
"CAIR is a front for Muslim terrorists. This is just another example of these pro-Muslim terror groups using American laws and liberties to keep dangerous terrorists and illegal immigrants in the country. If you are a pro-Muslim terror group, you should be rounded up and deported," said Sen. Fine.
According to Fox News, "Executive Order 13899 aims to combat the 'unprecedented wave of vile anti-Semitic discrimination, vandalism, and violence against our citizens, especially in our schools and on our campuses' since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas first attacked Israel, sparking the beginning of a 15-month war that has left tens of thousands of people dead."
Similarly, Arizona's Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) also remarked to The Floridian about CAIR's campaign, saying, "Americans sent a clear message in November— they voted for a mandate to put American First. That starts with standing firmly behind the men and women of law enforcement who keep our communities safe, including ICE agents."
