The North Carolina chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NC), the Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC), and Charlotte Muslim Caucus (CMC) today jointly condemn the United States Border Patrol’s impending incursion into Charlotte, North Carolina.
On Thursday, November 13, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office announced that U.S. Border Patrol agents would be arriving in Charlotte, having been notified a day earlier on November 12. Border Patrol agents have already arrived in Charlotte.
In a statement, CAIR-NC, MAPAC, and CMC said:
“We urge all our community members to stay safe during these times, especially as mosques and community spaces may be targeted. You have the right to remain silent, the right to seek legal representation, the right to ask to see an arrest warrant, and the right to document everything. We also urge you to carry your legal identification with you at all times and comply if asked to.
“American Muslim communities and all immigrant communities across Charlotte deserve to live without fear or intimidation in the places they call home, whether they arrived here ten months ago or have built their lives here for decades. Our city is strengthened by families who contribute to its neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and houses of worship.
“Charlotte, and North Carolina as a whole, has long been shaped by newcomers, and we refuse to allow anyone, local or national, to use xenophobia or Islamophobia to divide us or make our neighbors feel unsafe. MAPAC, CAIR, and CMC will continue working together to ensure our communities are protected, supported, and fully informed as events unfold. If you have concerns to raise or questions to ask, please do not hesitate to reach out to MAPAC, CAIR, or CMC.”
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CONTACT: CAIR-NC Community Engagement Manager Al Rieder, 202-742-6421, arieder@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com