Profiling Photo Credit: ridzedesign After 9/11, the federal government announced a major program to conduct “voluntary” interviews with 5,000 holders of temporary visas from Arab countries thought to have significant ties to Al Qaeda. The Justice Department wanted local law enforcement personnel to conduct these interviews, with federal agents playing a supporting role. In Dearborn, Michigan, where the population of individuals of Arab descent has grown to nearly 30 percent since the 1960s, city and police officials resisted this plan. They insisted that the feds conduct the interviews (in plain clothes), supported by the local police and monitored by them to make sure that the feds acted professionally. The locals also got the feds to abandon the idea of unannounced calls and agree to schedule visits via letters, stressing that the interviews were voluntary and that there was no reason to suspect the individuals being interviewed of terrorist activities. (Source: Thacher, David: “The Local Role in Homeland Security,” 39 Law and Society Review 635-76 [September 2005]). Does such questioning as in the Dearborn case constitute racial profiling? Does it undermine the principles of community policing? Summarize the facts, issues and decision in United States v. Martinez-Fuerte. What does Martinez-Fuerte suggest about the propriety of racial profiling in law enforcement? Does the case justify activities like those in Dearborn? You should address these questions in a paper of approximately 2,400 words, relying primarily on the readings and other materials assigned in this module; you will not receive credit without demonstrating that you have read and understood the material assigned. You may include independent sources. All information should be documented in MLA styleopens in a new window. Use these sources: Gabbidon and Greene: Race & Crime Chapter 4 Michelle Alexander: The new Jim crow: pp. 59-72 of Chapter 2; pp. 114-119 of Chapter 3 U.S. Department of Justice Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department,opens in a new window 2015, pp. 9-41, 62-67 and 69-102 (PDF formatopens in a new window) View:
