Arab, Muslim Community Makes Case For Immigration Reform
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Whether they're trying to arrange a visit, emigrate, or bring family members to the city, Arab and Muslim New Yorkers have to deal with a system they say unnecessarily stereotypes them. NY1's Shazia Khan filed the following report.For many Arab and Muslim Americans, learning how to navigate the immigration system is not an easy task. It was also one of the issues on the agenda at a town hall meeting in Brooklyn Wednesday night.
"People are applying for citizenship passing the exam and waiting two to three to even up to five years to get cleared," said Linda Sarsour of the Arab American Association of New York.
Elected officials at the meeting said immigrants from Arab and Muslim countries face a system that treats them with suspicion.
"I've had instance in my own offices with constituents who have been detained unfairly for hours on end awaiting clearance. We have to come up with a system which is more effective and efficient," said Congresswoman Yvette Clark.
Those on short visits have to register when entering the U.S. from largely Muslim countries or face deportation. Participants say that system needs to end.
"We're not even told about this from the Department of Homeland Security. There's nothing on their website. So our community is routinely targeted based on these programs, that they don't even know anything about," said Samia Makhlouf of the Arab American Institute.
Some in the audience said they've faced discrimination since the September 11th attacks, and want to know that there is someone in their corner.
"I just want to hear from the officials that they don't think the same way as people in the streets," said one recent immigrant.
Organizers who conducted the meeting said trust is the key to a solution.
"Some people have been here forever and some are new immigrants so they want to feel like they are part of the solution in keeping this country safe and that they are going to need people to come forward and help them maintain its national security. But you can't do that if you're treated like your suspicious right off the bat," said Makhlouf.
New York was the first stop and organizers say they plan to host similar town hall meetings in other cities home to large Arab-American communities.