My name is Saad Malik. I'm 18 years old and this is my personal blog. The intent of starting this blog is to post links to fresh new ideas, news, inspiration, as well as to reveal some behind the scenes details into the process of my professional work. Thanks for visiting.
URGENT ALERT: Seek Legal Advice Before Talking to FBI
URGENT COMMUNITY ALERT:
Seek Legal Advice Before Talking to FBI
The FBI is contacting Pakistani, South-Asian and other Muslim Americans to solicit information and advice about addressing violent extremism.
Muslim Advocates strongly urges individuals not to speak with law enforcement officials without the presence or advice of an attorney.
You may think…
“I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve got nothing to hide. I want to help law enforcement.”
You should know…
• Seeking the advice of counsel before you talk to law enforcement is the smart thing to do.
• Speaking to law enforcement without an attorney present or advice of counsel—however well-intentioned—places you and your family at great risk of criminal prosecution or adverse immigration consequences (including deportation). (In fact, in at least one recent case, individuals were arrested and jailed on charges—such as alleged immigration violations—completely unrelated to cases agents were investigating.)• There is no legal obligation to speak to law enforcement officials. You are only required to provide identification to law enforcement officials if asked, and immigrants are required to carry proof of immigration status at all times. Declining to speak cannot be presumed as guilt.
• Any statements made during contact with law enforcement can be used against you at a later time. Lying to a federal officer, even by omission, is a crime.Steps You Can Take:
1. Be Smart. Protect yourself. Know your rights: Watch the Muslim Advocates’ “Got Rights?” video. It provides crucial information about how to handle contact from law enforcement officials. Click here to view the video online.
2. Protect your friends, family & community: Forward this alert and share Muslim Advocates’ “Got Rights?” video with your networks and listservs. (It’s available in five languages: English, Arabic, Farsi, Somali and Urdu.)
3. Learn more: Join Muslim Advocates for a webinar to answer questions about how to safely and effectively work with law enforcement on Tuesday, May 25th at 12pm PST/ 2pm CST/ 3pm EST. Click hereto register.
4. Say your lawyer will contact them: If approached by the FBI or law enforcement, ask for their business cards and say that your lawyer will contact them.
5. Seek an attorney: For assistance locating an attorney in your area, please visitwww.muslimadvocates.org or contact Nura Maznavi at nura@muslimadvocates.org or 415.675.1495.
Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization dedicated to promoting freedom, justice and equality for all, regardless of faith, by using the tools of policy engagement, legal advocacy and civic education and by serving as a legal resource to promote the full participation of Muslims in American civic life. Muslim Advocates is a 501 (c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt nonprofit entity.
