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Possible gun violation fueled raid on Muslims
Dennis Wagner
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 18, 2003 08:30 PM
The leader of an ASU Muslim group said Friday that he and other students were rousted by federal agents this week because some of them may have violated immigration law by taking target practice at a shooting range.
Hassan Alrefae, president of the campus Muslim Students Association, said agents entered his unlocked Tempe apartment at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"They started screaming, 'FBI! Search warrant! Hands up!' " Alrefae said. "They had shotguns. They handcuffed us."
The FBI confirmed that warrants were served but declined further comment.
Alrefae, a U.S. citizen of Saudi descent, said investigators found nothing and left after explaining that they had come in search of firearms.
Deedra Abboud, executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the counterterrorism task force searched three East Valley homes occupied by four Saudis, one Tunisian and Alrefae. Agents found no weapons, but seized some computer equipment.
Abboud said agents told her they were investigating students who rented guns at a recreational shooting range in violation of federal law that prohibits firearm possession by non-immigrant visa-holders.
Agents seized some computer equipment, but no weapons.
Alrefae and Abboud said they contacted numerous attorneys and shooting range operators who had never heard of the statute. They said the students, most within a year of graduation, could be kicked out of the country.
"They're scared to death that the INS plans to bring charges," Abboud said. "I don't think this is a violation that deserves deportation."
Alrefae, who shares his apartment with the vice president of the Muslim Students Association, Jaber Thukair, said the controversy is a private matter that has nothing to do with the campus group.
"I knew I had nothing to hide, so I wasn't scared," he added. "But it wasn't necessary . . . I hope the media doesn't magnify this and give it more attention than it deserves."
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0418muslimraid-ON1.html
Dennis Wagner
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 18, 2003 08:30 PM
The leader of an ASU Muslim group said Friday that he and other students were rousted by federal agents this week because some of them may have violated immigration law by taking target practice at a shooting range.
Hassan Alrefae, president of the campus Muslim Students Association, said agents entered his unlocked Tempe apartment at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"They started screaming, 'FBI! Search warrant! Hands up!' " Alrefae said. "They had shotguns. They handcuffed us."
The FBI confirmed that warrants were served but declined further comment.
Alrefae, a U.S. citizen of Saudi descent, said investigators found nothing and left after explaining that they had come in search of firearms.
Deedra Abboud, executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the counterterrorism task force searched three East Valley homes occupied by four Saudis, one Tunisian and Alrefae. Agents found no weapons, but seized some computer equipment.
Abboud said agents told her they were investigating students who rented guns at a recreational shooting range in violation of federal law that prohibits firearm possession by non-immigrant visa-holders.
Agents seized some computer equipment, but no weapons.
Alrefae and Abboud said they contacted numerous attorneys and shooting range operators who had never heard of the statute. They said the students, most within a year of graduation, could be kicked out of the country.
"They're scared to death that the INS plans to bring charges," Abboud said. "I don't think this is a violation that deserves deportation."
Alrefae, who shares his apartment with the vice president of the Muslim Students Association, Jaber Thukair, said the controversy is a private matter that has nothing to do with the campus group.
"I knew I had nothing to hide, so I wasn't scared," he added. "But it wasn't necessary . . . I hope the media doesn't magnify this and give it more attention than it deserves."
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0418muslimraid-ON1.html
