The Persistence of Racial and Et hnic Profiling in the United St ates

by ACLU and Rights Working Group
May 31, 2009


...Thus, instead of curbing racial profiling, the exceptions in the guidance have actually promoted profiling and created a stronger justification for state and local law enforcement agencies to racially profile individuals who are or who appear to be Arab, Muslim or South Asian. It is no surprise that in the wake of the guidance, and absent the requirement of legal proof of suspected criminal activity, Arabs, Muslims and South Asians have been disproportionately victimized through various governmental initiatives including FBI surveillance and questioning, the NSEERS (special registration) program, border stops, airline profiling and the creation of “no-fly lists,” and religious surveillance...