CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Category: Know Your Rights

  • Know Your Rights and Responsibilitites: Requesting Religious Accommodations During Ramadan

    Know Your Rights and Responsibilitites: Requesting Religious Accommodations During Ramadan

    As-Salamu Alaykum Community Members,

    Alhamdullilah, the month of Ramadan is here. We, at CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter, pray that Allah (swt) will shower you and your families with the peace and blessings of Ramadan. May Allah (swt) accept your fasting, charity and good deeds during this blessed month.

    From a practical perspective, we are providing information below to help you should you need to request a religious accommodation at work or at school. Remember that you have a right to practice your religion and there are laws that ensure you can exercise this right.

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  • COMMUNITY ADVISORY: Supreme Court Allows Full Implementation of Muslim Ban 3.0

    COMMUNITY ADVISORY: Supreme Court Allows Full Implementation of Muslim Ban 3.0

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-4-17
    COMMUNITY ADVISORY: SUPREME COURT ALLOWS MUSLIM BAN TO GO FORWARD 
    Dear Community Members,
    The Supreme Court issued a decision on the Muslim Ban (‘Muslim Ban 3.0’) this afternoon. The news is bad, but the fight against the ban is not over.
    Today’s developments have raised numerous concerns and questions.
    Please note that the information below is subject to change based on the various legal challenges that may be advanced in court. The interpretations below can change quickly and we will update you should that happen.
    TIMING OF THE BAN:
    As of this afternoon, there is no longer anything preventing the Trump Administration from implementing the Muslim Ban immediately.  
    WHO WILL BE IMPACTED?
    Certain nationals of eight countries – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Please see below for a list of how certain nationals from each country will be impacted.
    General limitations
    • Muslim Ban 3.0 only applies to individuals who are i) outside of the U.S. on the effective date (either 9/24/2017 or 10/18/2017, depending on the country and individual), ii) who did not have a valid visa on that date, and  iii) who have not obtained a waiver under Section 3(c).
    • Muslim Ban 3.0  does not apply to:
      • Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
      • Individuals admitted or paroled into the U.S. on or after the effective date of the new Muslim Ban;
      • Those with a document other than a visa that allows them to travel to the U.S., if the document is dated on or after the effective date of the new Muslim Ban;
      • Dual-nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country;
      • Individuals granted asylum;
      • Refugees already admitted to the U.S.; or
      • Individuals granted withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention against Torture
    Impacted countries:
    • Iran
      • All immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended for Iranian nationals except for  those with F, J, or M visas.
      • Those with F, J, or M visas will most likely be subject to “enhanced screening and vetting requirements.”
    • Libya
      • All immigrants and nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
    • Somalia
      • All immigrant visas are suspended for Somali nationals.
      • Non-immigrant visas are permitted, subjected to heightened screening.
    • Syria
      • All immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended for Syrian nationals.
    • Sudan
      • Sudan was removed from the list of restricted countries in the new Muslim Ban.
      • Sudanese visa holders who were impacted by earlier Muslim Bans should now be able to reapply for visa.
    • Yemen
      • All immigrant visas and nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
    • Chad
      • All immigrant visas and nonimmigrant business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are suspended.
    • North Korea
      • All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders are suspended from entering the U.S.
    • Venezuela
      • The entry of officials of government agencies of Venezuela involved in screening and vetting procedures and their immediate family members, as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, is suspended. Additionally, nationals of Venezuela who are visa holders are subject to additional measures.
      • Per Section 3(b)(v) of the new Muslim Ban, certain Venezuelans traveling on diplomatic visas are not affected by this order.
    HOW TO GET HELP:
    Contact CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter at 216.830.2247 if:
    • You or someone you know is impacted by this Muslim Ban and would like legal advice or assistance;
    • Your community would like to request a “Know Your Rights” presentation.
    For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app
    We remain committed to challenging this Ban and protecting the communities we serve. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
    CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
     
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  • CAIR-Cleveland Holds “Know Your Rights” Forum for Uzbek Muslim Community at Northeast Ohio Mosque

    CAIR-Cleveland Holds “Know Your Rights” Forum for Uzbek Muslim Community at Northeast Ohio Mosque

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 11/2/2017) — The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) hosted an emergency Know Your Rights forum for the Uzbek community at the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent. The forum was in response to the surge in law enforcement questioning of the local Uzbek community in the wake of the terrorist attack in New York City allegedly perpetrated by an Uzbek national.

    The alleged perpetrator had lived in the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, area for several years before moving to Florida.

    CAIR-Cleveland said the overarching message of the forum was that American Muslims strongly support law enforcement and the protection of our national security and, like all Americans, we also value civil rights.

    At the forum, which was conducted in English and Uzbeki language, a CAIR representative and two attorneys provided basic Know Your Rights information regarding interacting with law enforcement. The purpose of the forum was to ensure that community members are informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent as well as the right to have an attorney present during any law enforcement interviews. The forum also covered issues related to immigration status, warrants and search and seizure issues.

    SEE: Your Rights with Law Enforcement at https://www.cair.com/know-your-rights.html

    CAIR’s Know Your Rights & Responsibilities Pocket Guide

    https://www.cair.com/images/pdf/Know-Your-Rights-Guide.pdf

    “Because the Uzbek community is being blanketed by FBI and DHS requests for voluntary interviews in the wake of the New York terror attack, it is important that constitutional rights are upheld during any and all law enforcement interactions, including any potential interviews,” said Julia Shearson, CAIR-Cleveland executive director, who helped moderate the forum.

    CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

    La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

    CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, CAIR-Cleveland executive director, 216.440.2247 or jshearson@cair.com , Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com