In response to the fear generated in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the federal government has swiftly boosted the law enforcement’s powers. Current anti-terrorism legislation that has made its way through Congress has made it easier for the federal government to infringe on the autonomy of its citizens and to expedite the process of deportation without due process, thus, putting our civil liberties at risk.

Within guidelines under certain provisions of legislation such as the Patriot Act, government agencies and officials are granted the right to detain suspects under reasonable suspicion of terrorist activity. The Asian Pacific American community is not exempt from the reaches of bills like the Patriot Act. It serves as acceptance and tolerance for detaining APA’s and any minority ethnicity. We have to be careful that historical mistakes are not repeated in the name of patriotism. Many in this nation are unaware of the forced internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II, or the McCarthy-era witch hunts during the Cold War, that resulted in the unlawful persecution of many Chinese immigrants and Chinese-American citizens.

The Organization of Chinese Americans works diligently and fervently for communities at risk for the loss of civil rights. OCA is concerned with the racial discrimination, bigotry, and hate crimes that may be generated by anti-terrorism legislation. OCA does not limit itself to APA’s or the Chinese community in particular, but rather it supports the action to protect the civil liberties of all races, creed, and color.