Day 256: Muslim Group Files FOIA Suit against CBP

Photo by Grant Durr on Unsplash

Last week, the National Immigration Project and Muslim Advocates filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act against CBP and DOJ.

The plaintiffs seek documents that would cast light on CBP and DOJ’s practices in charging and prosecuting people for criminal entry violations at Del Rio, Texas. (Most immigration violations are civil and do not carry criminal penalties.)

According to a press release from the groups, more than 60% of migrants charged with violation the criminal statute at Del Rio are from Muslim-majority countries.

While prosecutors have discretion whom to charge with crimes, that discretion cannot be based on mere racial profiling. This lawsuit should help obtain evidence necessary to closely evaluate CBP and DOJ’s enforcement practices.

We need law enforcement — but we also need to live in a country that is principled and fair. That’s the only kind of America I’ll fight to protect.