Library

AAI Testifies Against Anti-Boycott Legislation in Arizona

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019 AAI’s Policy Counsel Ryan Suto was in Tuscon, Arizona to testify at the House Committee on State and International Affairs hearing on SB 1167 in the Arizona House of Representatives.

Bloglfb 313March 20, 2019First Amendment Right to Free Speech, Palestine

AAI & J Street Hold Joint Press Briefing in Wake of House Resolution

On Friday, March 8, Arab American Institute (AAI) President James Zogby and J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami held a joint press briefing at AAI’s offices in Washington, D.C. The two took questions from journalists on the aftermath of the controversy surrounding Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and the House resolution condemning bigotry which passed on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Bloglfb 313March 8, 2019Palestine, Hate Crime & Bigotry

Watching What Is Watching Us: The Dangers of Digital Surveillance Technologies

Last week the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) hosted a panel entitled, “Digital Surveillance Unleashed: Implications for Human Rights, Democracy, and American Influence.” The discussion focused on the global implications of Chinese surveillance systems, which the country is currently using to digitally monitor the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province.

Bloglfb 313February 25, 2019Surveillance & Privacy

Anti-BDS Legislation Threatens First Amendment Rights

These days, in too many places in the "land of the free," you can be a teacher, or you can support Palestinian human rights. But in states with anti-BDS legislation, you can't do both-- at least not to the extent that the First Amendment allows.

Bloglfb 313February 22, 2019First Amendment Right to Free Speech

AAI Statement for the Record: Before the Vermont General Assembly, Senate Committee on Judiciary

Before the Vermont General Assembly, Senate Committee on Judiciary Statement of Kai Wiggins, Policy Analyst, Arab American Institute February 14, 2019

As a national civil rights organization founded in 1985, AAI promotes the political and civic empowerment of Arab Americans and supports similar efforts of other communities across the United States. As recent high-profile cases of persistent racial harassment in Vermont have shown, bias incidents can disrupt the democratic process and intimidate individuals and their communities from participating in political and civic affairs.

Civil Rights & LibertiesFiras NasrFebruary 14, 2019Hate Crime & Bigotry

Message and Impact: The Muslim and Refugee Ban at Two

As we approach two years since President Trump’s Muslim and Refugee Ban policy first took shape, it is important to look at both how we arrived at such a dark moment in our history and how directly impacted communities are nonetheless closer to the warm glow of a long-promised equal treatment under the law.

Bloglfb 313January 25, 2019Fair Immigration

AAI Statement for the Record: Meeting of the Senate Committee on Judiciary for the State of Vermont

As a national civil rights organization founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) promotes the political representation and civic engagement of Arab Americans and supports similar efforts of other communities across the United States. As recent high profile cases of persistent racial harassment in Vermont have made clear, bias incidents can disrupt the democratic process and intimidate individuals and their communities from participating in political and civic affairs. When these incidents rise to the level of criminal activity, and therefore become what we call “hate crimes,” the effects can be even more damaging.

Civil Rights & Liberties, On the RecordFiras NasrJanuary 18, 2019Hate Crime & Bigotry

Underreported Under Threat: Hate Crime in the United States and the Targeting of Arab Americans

Underreported, Under Threat: Hate Crime in the United States and the Targeting of Arab Americans documents the history of hate crime prevention in the United States with a focus on targeted violence against Arab Americans. An important part of this history, though previously undisclosed, is the elimination of Bias Motivation Code 31 (Anti-Arab) from official hate crime data collections. After contextualizing anti-Arab hate crime within a broader narrative of discrimination and bigotry, the report provides case studies of targeted violence against Arab Americans, a review of the national hate crime reporting and data collection system, including analysis of anti-Arab hate crime reporting, and a consideration of enduring limitations to our federal hate crime statistics. We conclude this report with a series of recommendations based on our findings.

Civil Rights & Liberties, ReportsFiras NasrJuly 31, 2018Hate Crime & Bigotry

Understanding the "Terrorist Watch List"

Out of the known US government maintained “terrorist watch lists,” the size, impact, accessibility, and redress processes vary significantly. This fact sheet provides a look at the four most commonly discussed watch lists.

Fact Sheets, Civil Rights & LibertiesFiras NasrMarch 15, 2017Surveillance & Privacy

The Refugee Vetting Process

The refugee vetting process is robust and includes many different steps and agencies.

Fact SheetsFiras NasrMarch 15, 2017Fair Immigration

The Arab American Vote 2016

The Arab American Vote 2016 Poll

Pollinglfb 313October 25, 2016

Leadership or Pandering: Xenophobia and the 2016 Presidential Election

One of the many ways we are fighting intolerance is by holding public officials accountable for the rhetoric they espouse. The Arab American Institute’s “Leadership or Pandering” series examines statements made by policymakers and candidates as they address divisive issues that provide clear opportunities to stand against bigotry. Though not comprehensive, and while no official can be judged fairly by any single action or statement, we hope that it will provide a useful look at the debate and its participants.

ReportsFiras NasrDecember 30, 2015Profiling & Discrimination