GRAND RAPIDS (NEWS 3) - The federal government's chief prosecutor in West Michigan is pledging to protect Arab-Americans and Middle Eastern immigrants from hate crimes as U.S. forces engage in combat in Iraq.

 

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Margaret M. Chiara, made the announcement today from her office in Grand Rapids.

 

"This is a time for understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures," Chiara said in a statement faxed to news outlets. "Whether at home, in the office, factory or places of worship, individuals' civil rights must be ensured."
The promise of a swift response to incidents fueled by hatred or racial prejudice comes as the Federal Bureau of Investigation continues interviewing thousands of Iraqi immigrants.

 

Officials with the F.B.I. announced Monday that agents had concluded 5,000 interviews and would complete 1,100 by the end of this week. The Bureau says it's trying to get information about government and military operations in Iraqi as well as locate possible spies or terrorists inside the United States.

 

Law enforcement sources tell the Associated Press that since the interviews began last week, about 30 people have been held on possible immigration violations.

 

On Monday, the U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts also announced civil rights hotlines for people to notify authorities of possible violations: In Grand Rapids, (616) 456-5489; in Lansing (517) 336-8367; in Detroit (313) 965-2323.