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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR: ICE Official Who Forwarded Islamophobic Email Relieved of Duties
Muslim civil rights group welcomes action, urges further disciplinary steps

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/13/11) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take action against an agency official in Montana who forwarded an Islamophobic email to a Muslim attorney.

[BREAKING NEWS: In a similar case, a veteran officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Chicago is being disciplined after posting hundreds of racist and anti-Islam comments on Facebook. SEE: CAIR-Chicago: TSA Officer Faces Termination Over Anti-Islam Rants (Video)]

CAIR said Bruce Norum, Montana's top U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ICE official, was relieved of his supervisory duties after he forwarded a Muslim immigration attorney in that state the notorious "You Worry Me" email. Norum wrote "Good read" in the forwarded message.

CAIR: Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Official Relieved of Duties (Great Falls Tribune)

The Islamophobic email, the origins of which are in doubt, has been circulating on the Internet since the 9/11 terror attacks. Its contents suggest a loyalty test for Muslims and Arabs before they are granted constitutional rights.

SEE: Immigration Officer Forwards Racially Charged Email to Muslim-American Lawyer(Great Falls Tribune)

"We welcome the prompt action taken by ICE as a clear indication that the incident is being taken seriously at the highest levels in the agency," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Once a thorough investigation has been completed, we hope that further disciplinary steps will be taken to send the message that Islamophobic attitudes and actions will not be tolerated by ICE officials."

Earlier this week, CAIR called for disciplinary action against Norum and for a review of ICE training on issues related to Islam and the American Muslim community.

SEE: CAIR Seeks Reprimand for ICE Official Who Forwarded Islamophobic Email

Last week, CAIR called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to thank Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) for raising the issue of anti-Muslim training during questioning today of FBI Director Robert Mueller by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

SEE: CAIR Asks Muslims to Thank Ill. Rep. for Questions on Anti-Islam Training

CAIR had called for a "top to bottom" government review of training following a number of reports that security personnel have been trained to view mainstream American Muslims with suspicion and to view the faith of Islam itself as the source of terrorism and extremism.

CAIR has in the past called on DHS, the Obama administration, the Department of Defense, and Congress to provide oversight for apparently widespread anti-Muslim bias in the training of law enforcement, security and military personnel nationwide.

SEE: CAIR Asks Sec. Napolitano to Probe Use of Islamophobic Trainers
Video: CAIR Decries Anti-Muslim Police Trainers

Trainers for American military personnel have included Islamophobes such as Robert Spencer, co-founder of Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA). SIOA has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

CAIR: Muslim-Basher Trains U.S. Military Personnel in Kentucky
SPLC: Active Anti-Muslim Groups

CAIR noted the release of an 80-page report by Political Research Associates (PRA), titled "Manufacturing the Muslim Menace: Private Firms, Public Servants, & the Threat to Rights and Security," which details a systemic failure to regulate content in counterterrorism training.

Washington Monthly magazine also published a major investigative article showing similar anti-Islam attitudes by private trainers of law enforcement agencies.

A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.