Representatives from several federal agencies attended a meeting at the National American Yemen Association’s office in Dearborn to hear some of the concerns people in the Yemeni community face.

DEARBORN – On Thursday, Mar. 6 representatives from several federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security attended a forum at the National American Yemen Association’s office in Dearborn that was hosted by the Yemeni American Anti-Discrimination Coalition.

The Coalition was formed about four months ago. The Arab American community already has two other civil rights groups that handle discrimination cases including the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and Arab American Civil Rights League.

Ali Baleed, a longtime Yemeni American community leader says the issues local Yemenis face that include profiling at the airport, visits from law enforcement officials at their homes, and having their passports revoked have become so overwhelming a separate entity had to be established to handle all the mounting cases.

Baleed is the co-chair of the Coalition, and Abdelhakeem Alsadah is the group’s chairman. Both Baleed and Abdelhakeem spoke about the progress federal agencies have made in addressing the issues, since a similar meeting was held at U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade’s office.  McQuade thanked the coalition for holding the meeting, and said her office would remain committed to working with the Yemeni American community. 

According to the coalition more than 500 immigration cases impacting Yemenis have been settled, and others are in progress. The coalition also noted that many Yemeni passports that were revoked, have been returned, and some members of the community will be allowed to return to the United States temporarily.

Paul Abbatte, the new special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI was also present. McQuade and her executive assistant Stephanie Dawkins Davis were honored at the meeting for their service to the Yemeni community.  A similar meeting with members of the Yemeni community and representatives from federal agencies is expected to take place within 60 days. “The Yemeni community is under a microscope,” Baleed said.

“As citizens of this country, we do not ask for more than being granted the equal rights all Americans have.” 

To contact the Yemeni American Anti Discrimination Coalition regarding an issue, call 313.779.1858, 313.350.0225 or 313-626-8908.