From the desk of CAIR- WA Civil Rights Intern Annie Kucklick

I have compiled a list of the past month's case summaries. The following synopses give a brief glance at what the civil rights team has been working on throughout the month of March and the beginning of April. As demonstrated by the quantity of cases recorded in this summary, our civil rights department has been extremely busy with intake and follow- up.  We encourage community members who have faced possible discrimination, to contact our office with your cases so that we may work to resolve them.  As a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil rights organization, our goal is to restore justice for those who face discrimination and to work toward ensuring equal treatment of American Muslims. 

Case Log for March 1, 2011 to April 6, 2011

3/2/2011 Employment/Other A Muslim man from Tukwila, WA contacted CAIR-WA for advice on an employment issue. He has been working as a janitor at a downtown Seattle apartment complex since August and feels that he has been unfairly treated. Among others, several issues he relayed was that he never received a W-9 form after requesting one in August, and the owner of the complex fired him on February 28th saying that he had too many people working in the building with him even though the only person he had come in to help was his wife, who was not getting paid to help. CAIR-WA advised him of his legal options and referred him to an appropriate legal service.

3/2/2011 Employment/Other  A Muslim man from Provo, Utah contacted CAIR-WA regarding alleged employment discrimination at the Utah State Mental Hospital. The man was employed for a temporary position and applied for a permanent position 25 times but was denied 25 times. The man claims he is more qualified than the other applicants and feels he was denied a permanent position due to his race and religion. The man also experienced a hostile work environment, in which he was regularly followed and harassed. Though the man reported the case to the Utah Labor Division, the case was dismissed. CAIR-WA filed complaint letters on his behalf.

3/6/2011 General A Muslim man contacted CAIR-WA seeking an attorney for legal help. CAIR-WA staff spoke with the man to gather details of the case, but the man did not want to disclose any details of the case or his identity. CAIR-WA referred the man to a legal hotline for assistance with his case.   

3/7/2011 Airport Profiling/Airline  Three Muslim men from Seattle purchased airline tickets online to travel to Cleveland, Ohio for a funeral. When the men arrived at the United Airlines front desk, they were not permitted to continue to security. The men were asked if they were planning on committing terrorist activity. When the men questioned why they were being asked such questions, they were told that it was due to their Muslim names and Somali national origin. The men were questioned by officers and not permitted to travel to Cleveland. United Airlines refunded the flight to Cleveland, but not the return flight. CAIR-WA filed a complaint with the Port of Seattle and Department of Homeland Security, and is closely monitoring the situation.

3/8/2011 Employment/Other  A Muslim man had scheduling issues with his supervisor who did not communicate man's schedule clearly. Further, he felt that he was treated in a discriminatory manner due to his race and religion. When several employees were a couple minutes late after lunch, the supervisor refused to sign only the man's timecard, not anyone else's. CAIR-WA is closely monitoring the situation and will take whatever action is deemed necessary.

3/13/2011 Government Agency/USCIS Other A Muslim man was living in US since 1997 on a H1B work visa and filed for permanent residency in 2002. After processing his permanent residency request for six years, he was denied. He was approved for green card, and while waiting to receive it, traveled to Canada. The man inquired into traveling without a green card and into which identification he should take. When he went to Canada, he was forbidden to return to the US and treated like a criminal in the BC airport. He has filed all paperwork with USCIS and received no response. He is currently in Cairo, Egypt. CAIR-WA is assisting the man contact the relevant authorities.

3/13/2011 Public Accommodation A Muslim woman from Seattle was at a Subway sandwich shop and was rung up by a worker who began questioning the woman about her hijab, made many false statements about Islam, and proceeded to mock the way Muslims pray. The Muslim woman tried to explain Islam and correct the worker but eventually left. She states that other people were present but no one said anything. CAIR-WA is in communication with the business to resolve the matter.

3/15/2011 Public Accommodation A Muslim man from Bellevue, WA was at a mall in 2009 and on two separate occasions was followed by security officers and told that he matched the description of a shoplifting suspect. He pursued the issue with the mall management who offered no support or remedy. Management defended the actions of the security guards and stated that a store had called security regarding a suspected shoplifter. He spoke with the store manager who said there was no record of such a call. CAIR-WA will contact the businesses involved to resolve the matter.

3/17/2011 Child Custody A Muslim man contacted CAIR-WA seeking an attorney referral for a child custody case. The man's ex-wife is not Muslim and man feels he is being painted as a Muslim extremist by ex-wife and estranged parents. He requested a Muslim lawyer who could help, as the man claims his current lawyer does not know how to handle the situation. CAIR-WA advised him of his legal options and referred him to the appropriate legal service.

3/17/2011 School A Muslim political science student at a university in British Columbia contacted CAIR-WA regarding a professor who made hateful, bigoted, Islamophobic comments about Muslims/Arabs every class period. He asked for a template letter to follow to contact the head of the political science department about the professor and requested other tips. CAIR-WA advised the student on the options available.

3/18/2011 Employment/Other A Muslim man from Seattle was interviewed for a position as a security guard with a local company and attended an orientation where he was issued a uniform and registration card and completed all paperwork for employment. He was told to attend a CPR class but when he arrived for the class he was told he was not on the list. He reported to the main office on Monday and was told that he had not been selected for the job, and was asked to turn in his uniform. He was given no reason for not being hired and suspects it may be due to racial or religious discrimination. CAIR-WA is closely monitoring the situation and will take whatever action is deemed necessary.

3/21/2011 Child Custody A Muslim man from Vancouver, WA contacted CAIR-WA about a child custody case between his wife (a Muslim) and her ex-husband who is not a Muslim. The ex-husband allegedly made false claims about the man and his wife, about Islam, and about the safety of their daughters under their care. The Muslim man also feels that the state-appointed guardian ad litem has been discriminating against the man and his wife. He is looking for assistance in the child custody case, since he feels he and his wife are being portrayed as radical Muslims. CAIR-WA is closely monitoring the situation and will take whatever action is deemed necessary.

3/21/2011 Child Custody A Muslim man contacted CAIR-WA for an attorney consultation re: family matters in North Carolina. He came to US in 2001 with his daughters, who are now living with his ex-wife. His daughters are applying for US Passports and need his signature to do so. He wants to know what his rights and responsibilities are with his daughters. CAIR-WA referred him to the appropriate legal service.

3/22/2011 Government Agency/USCIS Naturalization A Muslim man called on behalf of a Somali-American man who has been in immigration hearings for several months and has his final hearing on May 6, 2011. The man needs an attorney or consultation but has very low income. CAIR-WA helped refer him to the appropriate legal service.

3/25/2011 Government Agency/USCIS Other A woman in Portland, Oregon emailed CAIR-WA office to report that a Kenyan-American family living in Portland on a medical visa was going to be deported. Family has 2 sons with a rare medical disorder and the boys are receiving free care at Portland hospital until they are 21 years old. If the family is deported, the sons will not be able to receive the medical care they need. The family received an extension on the visa.

4/4/2011 Public Accommodation A Muslim man has been living in an Everett public housing facility for the past 7 years. He received a termination letter last week and believes that his family is being asked to leave on discriminatory grounds. He has had past issues with the neighbors regarding noise complaints. CAIR-WA is closely monitoring the situation and will take whatever action is deemed necessary.

4/6/2011 Employment/Prayer A Muslim man has been working at his job for 18 years and recently requested an extra hour off for Friday prayer, but has been continually denied by his employer. CAIR-WA is working with the man and advising him of his options.