Civil Rights News: NJ Muslim Organizations File Federal Suit Over NYPD Surveillance Programs; Fear Prevents Migrant Workers From Seeking Health Care; Obama Administration Pushes for Transparency on College Loans
Compiled by David Seidman, a Summer 2012 intern at The Leadership Conference Education Fund
NJ Muslims file federal suit to stop NYPD spying
Eileen Sullivan
Associated Press
On Wednesday, a group of eight Muslims represented by Muslim Advocates, a California-based civil rights group, filed a federal lawsuit challenging NYPD surveillance programs targeting Muslim neighborhoods. Citing privacy concerns and potential employee backlash, the plaintiffs allege that the NYPD’s post 9-11 intelligence tactics unconstitutionally target people based on their religion, national origin and race. The lawsuit comes after a series of Associated Press reports revealing that the NYPD’s intelligence division had infiltrated dozens of mosques and Muslim student groups and had targeted hundreds of Muslim citizens.
The Department of Justice has reviewed Congressional requests to investigate the NYPD’s tactics since last fall. Raymond Kelly, the NYPD Commissioner, cited a recent New Jersey Attorney General report clearing the NYPD of wrongdoing.
Fear keeps migrant workers from getting health care
Phil Galewitz
USA Today
Following a multi-state immigration campaign targeting immigrant health clinics, community health workers report a growing fear among migrant workers that is keeping them from seeking health care. The clinics are part of a 50-year-old, federally funded program providing vaccinations, infectious disease treatment, and basic health services to 900,000 migrant workers each year.
The $166 million system of health clinics has recently become the target of immigration officials in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New York and North Carolina. Aid workers report increased surveillance and newly created roadblocks and checkpoints around clinics. In one instance, federal border authorities detained an aid worker in Buffalo, NY, transporting two farm workers to a local dentist.
Editorial
New York Times
The Obama administration called on colleges to increase the transparency of their financial data so that students and families can understand the true cost of a college education. Citing financial aid letters that purposely blur the distinction between grants and loans to make colleges look more affordable, the White House announced plans to release standardized transparency forms for all colleges.
Praising ten colleges and state university systems that have recently begun a push for greater transparency, the White House announced plans to issue “scorecards” for colleges based on their value, affordability and the debt their average student graduates with.