DHS launches community outreach to Muslims, (illegal) immigrants

Posted on April 7, 2011 by creeping

 

A pilot pandering program, just like at the FBI and CIA (see related links below). via Homeland Security launches community outreach.

CHICAGO | The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is “taking it to the streets.” At least that’s the motto behind a new pilot program aimed at combating the negative image that some community groups have about the department.

The program is being launched next week in Chicago to dispel stereotypes, mistrust and misinformation about the department and its agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The idea is to bring together DHS officials with immigrants, Muslims and other groups to encourage them to reach out with any questions or concerns.

“All they see is that we’re standing at the borders, searching luggage,” said Robyn Dessaure, a Homeland Security field director, about Customs and Border Protection. “It’s time for us to get back on the ground.”

Officials hope the Chicago program would become a template for similar outreach nationwide.

Meeting with community groups to help build trust and get information is nothing new — the FBI has held meetings at mosques for years — but the Chicago program attempts to bring together different branches that typically don’t work together.

And all the FBI got in return was a lawsuit by Muslims and demands to make public FBI operating procedures. Oh and Hamas-linked CAIR and other Muslim groups boycotted working with the FBI.

The idea was born out of a unique situation in Chicago last summer.

Residents in a Muslim enclave on Chicago’s North Side expressed concerns about post 9/11 racial profiling and called on federal officials to meet with residents and leaders. The result were meetings that started out rough — there was palpable frustration in the room as a few dozen Muslim residents talked about feeling targeted.

But some neighborhood residents and leaders said they have helped. While tensions between federal agents are hardly quelled, more than 100 people attended by the end.

The new program’s kickoff event is Monday at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Several organizations including student groups and the Polish American Chamber of Commerce have been invited.

That hotbed of terrorism that is the Polish American community. Can anyone find out if the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Muslim Student Association was invited?

Alheli Herrera, an organizer for Enlace Chicago, said the nonprofit community group has been invited and will hear what federal officials have to say. But they’re cautious.

“The perception of ICE in our community is that that they are out to get us and especially get people who are here without status,” she said. “We’re willing to work with them, but it’s taken with a huge spoonful of skepticism.”

The perception Herrera gives is hat she is harboring illegal aliens. If you are here without status that usually means you are here ILLEGALY and ICE “identifies and apprehends removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary and removes illegal aliens from the U.S.” Or at least they are supposed to, and much more, according to their website.