In the last few days the FBI has begun questioning Arab-Americans and Arab immigrants all over the country.  Below is some information on what your rights are if you are contacted by the FBI.  For assistance in obtaining an attorney if you are approached by the FBI call the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's Legal Department at (202) 244-2990, sending a fax to (202) 244-3196, or via email to legal@adc.org. You may contact the local San Francisco ADC office at (415) 861-7444, or via email at info@adcsf.org

Below are the following guidelines to anyone who contacted by the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.

1)  Make sure an attorney is present at all times during any voluntary interview the person may choose to attend.  It is important to note that everything you say to an FBI agent or other law enforcement representative is recorded, nothing is 'off the record,' including immigration status.

2) The interviewee may determine the date, time, and location of the interview, including who may attend the interview, including an interpreter if needed.  The FBI is required to provide an interpreter if requested.

3)  Bear in mind that all such interviews are completely voluntary and that no one is obligated to volunteer to speak with an FBI agent or other law enforcement representative or answer any questions without a court-approved documents.

4)  The interviewee has absolute discretion as to what questions to answer in such a voluntary interview.  For example, one may choose to answer questions about their neighborhood and yet refuse to answer any questions regarding their immigration status. However, anything and everything you say during these voluntary interviews is 'on the record.'