CAIR Decries Appearance of Former Top ICE Official at Anti-Muslim Hate Event in Va.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today decried the scheduled appearance of the former acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at an upcoming conference in Washington, D.C., sponsored by a notorious anti-Muslim hate group.

Thomas Homan, formerly acting director of ICE, is listed as a confirmed "Special Dinner Gala Honoree" at the Sept. 4-5 conference of the hate group ACT for America in Arlington, Va. Homan retired in June of this year.

While acting director of ICE, Homan refused to condemn the Trump administration's policy of separating children from their parents at the border, but instead claimed that his agency was simply enforcing the law.

"By appearing at an anti-Muslim hate event, Mr. Homan would – because of his past position as head of ICE - send the clear message that bigotry is viewed as acceptable by top government officials in the current administration," said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. "We urge Mr. Homan to withdraw from this hate event."

McCaw noted that CAIR today sent a letter to members of Congress and their staff outlining ACT for America's bigoted agenda and history prior to the hate group's Capitol Hill Day on Sept. 5. For a copy of that letter, email: [email protected]

In July, CAIR called on Fox News to withdraw its representatives from the conference. Several Fox News hosts and commentators were listed as "invited" to appear at the conference.

ACT for America, founded by "Brigitte Gabriel," is an anti-Muslim hate group with growing ties to white supremacist, neo-Nazi hate organizations that exhibits the same bigoted themes as seen at the Charlottesville neo-Nazi rally. [NOTE: "Brigitte Gabriel" is also known as Hanah Kahwagi Tudor and Brigitte Tudor.] Last year, ACT for America organized widely-condemned anti-Islam rallies nationwide.

SEE: CAIR: Anti-Islam Hate Rallies Show Convergence of White Supremacism, Islamophobia
CAIR Calls Nationwide Anti-Islam Rallies a 'Bust,' Says Counter-Protests Far Overshadowed Hate Marches

In the past, CAIR released two short videos exposing ACT for America's bigotry and its links to White supremacist organizations.

SEE: CAIR Releases Videos Exposing Anti-Muslim Hate Group ACT for America's Bigotry, Links to White Supremacist Organizations
CAIR Islamophobia Monitor: ACT for America
CAIR Islamophobia Monitor: Brigitte Gabriel

ACT for America has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC has named "Brigitte Gabriel" as a member of the nation's "Anti-Muslim Inner Circle."

Gabriel has argued that, "America is at stage two Islamic Cancer." She believes "every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim," a Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States," and that Arabs "have no soul."

CAIR has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.

Earlier this month, CAIR released an update on anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in the second quarter (April-June) of 2018 indicating that anti-Muslim bias incidents and hate crimes are up 83 and 21 percent respectively, as compared to the first quarter of 2018.

SEE: CAIR Report: Anti-Muslim Bias Incidents, Hate Crimes Spike in Second Quarter of 2018

Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report   

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-999-8292, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)