CAIR-NY Welcomes Victory in Court Ruling Challenging Watchlist
(NEW YORK, N.Y. 09/05/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) welcomes yesterday’s court ruling as a “victory” in our national organizational challenge to the federal government’s terror watchlist in Elhady v. Kable (E.D.Va.).
SEE: US judge: Terror Watchlist Violates Constitutional Rights
Judge Anthony Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that the government has unconstitutionally failed to provide watchlisted persons with notice and an opportunity for individuals to challenge their status. The judge granted CAIR’s motion for summary judgment in the case of 23 American Muslims who were unjustly labeled as suspected terrorists by their government, causing extensive harm to their families, careers, and ability to travel.
SEE: Judge Trenga’s Opinion
“CAIR has a half-dozen other watchlist cases pending in federal courts across the country, and this opinion will pave the wave for our continued victories,” said CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri. “Today’s opinion is a victory for the more than one hundred American Muslims we represent and for the thousands of American Muslims who are currently stigmatized by the watchlist.”
“We welcome the decision of this case which will hopefully bring relief to Muslims throughout America who have suffered harassment and come under suspicion through targeting by the federal government,” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. “The 23 American Muslims must be applauded for their courage in standing up against the government and the watchlisting system that has terrorized them and the American Muslim community for over a decade. This is a victory not just for Muslims in America but for all Americans and for the Constitution.”’
Mohamed also noted that CAIR-NY is currently representing dozens of innocent New Yorkers on the watchlist and is co-counseling a challenge to the watchlist in a Maryland federal court. Mohamed indicated that this victory will pave the way for the Maryland litigation and others around the country. Prior to joining as CAIR-NY’s litigation director, Mohamed was part of the legal team representing the plaintiffs in Elhady v. Kable (E.D.Va.).
Individuals in New York are asked to report any airport or border travel incidents to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006