DEARBORN — The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is warning communities of what it is calling a potential “October surprise,” in the form of surges in targeted law enforcement activities toward Arab Americans.

ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad said the group has received a number complaints from Arab Americans who have recently been mailed written notices from their banks notifying them that their personal or business accounts are being terminated without explanation. That has happened before, but Hamad said that this time two banks placed phone calls to the group warning of the surge of account closures.

Another barrage of complaints has come from immigration attorneys whose clients were suddenly detained, despite having been granted stay of deportation orders or release under supervision while awaiting a court’s final decision. Hamad said all those complaints came on or around Sept. 24.

He said that in months before the 2004 presidential election, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated similar spikes in enforcement actions in major metropolitan areas, and prior to the 2006 November elections, the FBI conducted a series of raids on Muslim charities.

“As the election nears, the urgency increases. Based on this historical pattern, it is reasonable to expect that there will be more attempts to smear the Arab and Muslim American communities,” read an ADC statement that appealed for help establishing an emergency fund to create a Voter Protection Unit that would protect voting rights and “respond to fear tactics designed to promote hate, division, and hostility against the Arab and Muslim American communities.”

“It’s already brought its chilling effect on our community,” said Hamad. “I have families crying at our doors.”

He said the people being detained under unusual conditions are often the sole breadwinners of their families.

ICE’s Detention and Removal Operations office has insisted there has been no change in policy, but ADC insists there are inconsistencies that merit explanation beyond denial.

Hamad said detainment of individuals by immigration officials for the purpose of deportation is perfectly acceptable.

But “we have cases here that they are being detained and they are not removable,” he said. “They insist that it’s business as usual. We and the families and the attorneys tend to disagree.”

ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad suspects that in the weeks leading up to elections, checks and balances on various government agencies aren’t as strong, with media and supervising officials caught up in races and preparations for administration change, allowing opportunities for aggressive initiatives that wouldn’t be allowed under normal circumstances.

Without naming the several banks involved in the account closures, Hamad said two of them called ADC to let them know what was coming, and others were named in the actual complaints.
He said the banks blame federal guidelines and a computerized process that causes the account closures based on transactions with foreign countries that raise a red flag.

“We are trying to revisit this with the banking institutions aggressively and document it to see if it merits a class action lawsuit,” Hamad said. “It is hurting the community and it is a form of racial profiling.”

He said he worries that many who are facing unfair bank account closures or have immigrant family members being unfairly detained are not reporting the incidences, wanting to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble.

But he said it takes courage and unity to fight discrimination in uncertain times.

“I see us living in a very alarming time,” he said.

Hamad suspects that in the weeks leading up to elections, checks and balances on various government agencies aren’t as strong, with media and supervising officials caught up in races and preparations for administration change, allowing opportunities for aggressive initiatives that wouldn’t be allowed under normal circumstances.

A message seeking comment was left for Homeland Security Department Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Daniel Sutherland.

The issues are expected to be brought up in an upcoming Bridges meeting — a regular gathering of Middle Eastern community figures and federal law enforcement officials — on Oct. 16 in Dearborn.

On top of aggressive government actions, ADC is warning of other recent efforts by non-government groups “to scare people and create hostility towards Arab and Muslim Americans as all Americans head to the polls in November.”

In September, 28 million copies of a right-wing, terror propaganda DVD were mailed and bundled in newspaper deliveries to voters in swing states.

Money for the mailings came from a New York-based group with unclear financial backers, the Clarion Fund.

ADC called “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War against the West” a “fear mongering DVD,” part of a “campaign of hate” intended to sway the election.

The film was originally shown on Fox News ahead of the 2006 mid-term election.

The special Voter Protection Unit that ADC is attempting to establish would consist of three attorneys in Washington, DC and one in Dearborn, who would spend the next month responding to “fear tactics” and protecting Arab and Muslim Americans from any possible attempts to suppress votes.

The group estimates a $15,000 cost for the effort and is asking for donations.

Hamad said the group has been doing its best to address complaints but struggles with a general lack of funds.

“Without resources, we can’t be very effective and I feel sorry for those being crushed in the middle,” he said. “As much as I see on a daily basis, it breaks my heart, the challenges that we are facing from so many ends…

“What kind of surprises are awaiting us… that is unknown. There is a smell in the air. We’re trying to be proactive.”

For more information, to file a complaint or to donate, call ADC’s Dearborn office at 313-581-1201 or visit www.adcmichigan.org.