Federal government probes border authorities for targeting Muslim migrants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has opened an investigation into the prosecution of migrants from Muslim-majority countries using a little-known law.

The investigation was triggered by a New York Times report that more than 60% of migrants charged under the law in an 18-month period were from Muslim countries.

Under the law, people entering the U.S. must report to a customs office.

According to the Times report, the use of law was discontinued shortly after the newspaper provided government officials with preliminary data.

The DHS investigation will focus on whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection disproportionately targeted people from Muslim countries when referring migrants for prosecution.

During an 18-month period that began in late 2021, federal prosecutors in Del Rio charged more than 200 migrants under a rarely used law.

 In a statement, Corey Saylor, advocacy director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said such practices not only undermine the moral fabric of a society but also damage a nation’s reputation on the global stage.

“Discriminatory practices not only erode the moral fabric of a society but also tarnish a nation’s reputation on the global stage. We call on federal authorities to investigate this alleged discriminatory treatment, to hold those responsible accountable and to rectify these unjust practices,” said Saylor.

The group called on the Justice Department’s inspector general for civil rights office to launch its own investigation of the prosecutions.

A department spokesperson did not comment on the matter.

Rep. Ilhan Omar this month also had called for an investigation.

“The Biden Admin must fully investigate these discriminatory practices by border authorities,” she wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.