[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ARAB-AMERICANS

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 1994

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
express my concerns about the antiterrorism provisions contained in the 
crime bill. During the gulf war, the FBI conducted a number of 
inappropriate interviews of leading members of the Arab-American 
community. Without any basis other than their ethnic background, Arab-
Americans were asked about their political beliefs. These interviews 
cast a cloud of suspicion over an entire community.
  I support efforts to combat terrorism and violent criminal acts, but 
we must not trample the very rights we are trying to defend in the 
process. I deeply appreciate the efforts of my colleague Don Edwards to 
protect these first amendment freedoms, as he has many times over the 
years. He has added important provisions to ensure that antiterrorist 
investigations are carried out in accordance with the Constitution.
  Along these lines, I would like to make clear that these provisions 
should in no way apply to the deportation case against Palestinians in 
Los Angeles, which has become known as the LA Eight. In this case, the 
defendants provided support for the legal, humanitarian activities of a 
group that also committed terrorist acts. They are not accused of 
``knowing or intending'' that their support be used in the preparation 
or carrying out of a crime as required by this bill.
  The INS is pursuing the deportations based on what I believe is an 
overly-broad interpretation of the 1990 Immigration Act. Under this 
interpretation, which was formulated by the Bush administration, any 
alien who provides any type of support to an organization who engaged 
in terrorist activity would be deportable. This could include South 
African exiles who contributed to Nelson Mandela's speaking tour and 
Nicaraguans who gave money to the Contras.
  It is my deep hope that the antiterrorism provisions of this bill 
will be properly interpreted to protect the rights we so dearly 
cherish. It is also my deep hope that a new interpretation of the 1990 
Immigration Act will be issued so that all who come to this country 
legally know that their freedom will be protected.

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