Webinar: What’s at Stake, Understanding the New Immigration Registry

Webinar Details

Title: What’s at Stake: Understanding the New Immigration Registry
Date: April 23, 2025
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)

REGISTER NOW
(Space is limited—secure your spot today!)

During this webinar, CAIR-Ohio’s legal experts and immigration advocates will break down:

  • What the new immigration registry is: Who is required to register and why.
  • Legal risks for non-compliance: Fines, detention, and possible criminal charges.
  • Steps to protect yourself: What undocumented individuals and families should do now.
  • Impact on immigrant communities: How this policy could increase surveillance, fear, and marginalization.
  • Community mobilization: How we can advocate for fairness, rights, and dignity.

Who Should Attend:

  • Individuals and families directly impacted by immigration policies
  • Community leaders, organizers, and service providers
  • Legal professionals, social workers, and educators
  • Anyone concerned about immigrant rights and due process

 

CAIR-Ohio is committed to informing and empowering communities through education and action. This webinar will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to protect yourself and stand in solidarity with those most affected.

Together, we can challenge discriminatory policies and protect our communities from harm.

CAIR-OH Calls for Hate Crime Probe into Islamophobic Letter Sent to Muslim Woman’s Home

CAIR-OH Calls for Hate Crime Probe into Islamophobic Letter Sent to Muslim Woman’s Home

(COLUMBUS, OH, 4/16/2025) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH) today called for a hate crime probe into an Islamophobic and threatening letter sent to a Muslim University of Cincinnati student’s home.

The woman, who heads the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at her college, received a long letter filled with anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian insults. She recently moved to the house to which the letter was sent, and the address wasn’t on her license, BMV records, or White Pages. The woman went to campus police and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, who told her to get “bear mace” and remain hypervigilant.

SEE: UC Student Sent Islamophobic Letter to Home Address

In a statement, CAIR-OH Columbus |Cincinnati |Dayton Executive Director, Khalid Turaani said:

“We call on UC and local law enforcement to investigate this incident as a hate crime. Ignoring these threats in this atmosphere of intimidation of pro-Palestinian voices emboldens bigots. These threats cannot be allowed to escalate to violence against students protesting the genocide in Palestine.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, with three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. The organization is dedicated to enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering 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.      

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CONTACT: Khalid Turaani, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director, Kturaani@cair.com, 614-401-6692

Press Conference: Demanding Justice for Somali Family Targeted in Violent Hate Crime

COLUMBUS — In a press conference, the Columbus and Cincinnati Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), United Bantu of Ohio, and partner organizations lamented the lack of action from the Columbus Division of Police following a violent hate crime on March 20, and called for an immediate response.

On the same day, the Columbus Dispatch revealed new details about the poor investigation conducted by the Columbus Division of Police. The entire attack was captured on video, including the physical assault against Faith*, an Ohio mom, and a death threat made against her entire family. Faith immediately contacted the police, who came and interviewed the assailants — but made no arrests.

The attackers are known to the victim, the police, and the apartment complex, which forced the individuals to move out. The entire ordeal was captured on video. The assailants even showed their anti-immigrant bias in a post-assault interview with police, saying that Faith addressed them “in whatever (expletive) language she speaks.”

Three weeks later, the victim and her community are still waiting for arrests to be made. Faith, the victim, and the leaders supporting her are shocked that no charges have yet been filed. 

Community leader Anisa Liban emceed the press conference. Speakers were:

  • Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of CAIR-Ohio’s Columbus and Cincinnati Chapter 
  • Deqa Haji, Executive Director of Zamzam Women & Family Center
  • Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance
  • Ali Hussein, President of United Bantu of Ohio

Their demands of the Columbus Police include:

  • Fully prosecuting the assailants with appropriate charges for this hate crime.
  • Subpoenaing and reviewing all available CCTV footage from apartment complex and surrounding businesses.
  • Ensuring that law enforcement officers receive proper training in cultural competency and sensitivity, to better serve our diverse community.

*We are using an alias to protect the family’s identity.

Press Release: CAIR-Ohio Condemns Arrest of University of Cincinnati Student Over Palestinian Flag, Citing Free Speech Violations

CAIR-Ohio Condemns Arrest of a University of Cincinnati Student
(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 4/3/2025) – The Columbus- and Cincinnati-based Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the arrest of a University of Cincinnati student by law enforcement allegedly for waiving a Palestinian flag.
On April 1, videos showed five police officers arresting a student activist on University of Cincinnati’s campus. CAIR-Ohio is concerned that the incident is part of the increased hostility on college campuses toward student activists over pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide views and the use of Palestinian symbols. 
“We unequivocally condemn the arrest of student activists and the alleged attack on free speech and academic freedom. We are appalled by these reported acts of aggression targeting those opposed to the genocide in Gaza and call on all Americans to defend the right to free speech,’’ said Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of CAIR-Ohio, Columbus, Cinnicnnnati and Dayton.
 
This arrest on the University of Cincinnati’s campus follows a series of arrests nationwide including Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, Georgetown Scholar Badar Khan Suri and Tufts PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, among at least a dozen others who remain in government custody.
The increased arrests by local police and FBI agents have led to the forced disappearings of students to detention facilities in Louisiana and the immediate revoking of their visas.  In Khalil’s case, he was told his green card had been revoked, a statement that was later blocked by a federal judge and requires evidence not yet provided by the Trump Administration.
CAIR-Ohio expresses solidarity with student activists nationwide and is committed to pursuing any incidents of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation to protect the civil rights, dignity, and safety of all individuals, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. To report an incident, file this form.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, with three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. The organization is dedicated to enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims.

CAIR-Ohio Condemns OSU’s Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Student Protesters, Demands University Respect Students’ Right to Free Speech

(COLUMBUS, OH – 4/26/2024) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today condemned the Ohio State University’s violent crackdown and alleged use of excessive force on students during an on-campus protest and demanded the administration adhere to its values of protecting the free speech rights of its students.

At least 41 protesters were arrested and charged with “criminal trespassing”, a majority of which were university students.

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox said:

“It is deeply concerning that OSU’s response to students demonstrating peacefully in solidarity with Palestine is forcible suppression of free speech and assembly. This mirrors a nationwide trend of colleges and universities attempting to censor pro-peace, anti-war, and pro-Palestine advocacy on campuses.

“It is alarming to receive reports of protesters having their hijabs ripped off and being arrested while in prayer, Muslim students are not just feeling unsafe on campus, but being actively criminalized. All students should feel safe while expressing their views and engaging in their right to assemble peacefully. We demand OSU immediately cease any further acts of repression against the protesters and take action to respect and protect the speech of its students.”

BACKGROUNDER:

SEE: Why are college students protesting? Ohio State, Miami University join Gaza protests

On Thursday, April 25, students set up an encampment at OSU’s South Oval as part of a “Gaza Solidarity” organized by Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at OSU, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, Miami University, Palestine Liberation Movement, Justice Unity & Social Transformation (JUST), Palestinian Women’s Association at OSU, Moritz Law Students for Justice in Palestine, Jews for Justice in Palestine, and Rising Tide Columbus—made up of OSU students, staff, faculty, and alumni, to protest the university’s investments tied to Israeli apartheid, and OSU’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) and State Troopers were deployed to break up the tent encampment. Video showcases that officers were making arrests as a group of protestors were in prayer.

SEE: Video: Protesters arrested at Ohio State University

Earlier in the day, OSU’s Department of Public Safety arrested a faculty member who was not part of any actions, and two graduate students. Videos filmed by student protesters depict their conversations with DPS officers, who were unable to provide the exact reason for students being told to leave the premises, even after fully complying with the constant changing of the University’s policies in order to criminalize students.

SEE: Video shows officers arresting man at OSU encampment, two others also arrested

SEE: Inside the five-hour standoff between police and protestors on the South Oval

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has three offices in Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Victoria Hickcox, vhickcox@cair.com513-906-5728

ACTION ALERT: Message Congress on Passing $17B in Military Aid for Israel’s Genocide

Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations in letting your member of Congress know how you feel about their vote last weekend on a bill that would send $17 billion in unconditional military aid to the Israeli government.

If your representative voted against the $17 billion for Israel’s genocide, it’s important to thank them. If you representative voted for the funding, it’s important to express your disapproval.

Use CAIR’s click-and-send action alert to send a message to your U.S. Representative.

Although we are extremely disappointed with representatives who voted to send additional funding to aid the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza, a historically large number of representatives opposed the bill. This is a sign of slowly but surely changing perspectives in Congress. 

Regardless of how your member voted, it’s important to let them know how you feel about their decision. 

Click here to take action.

New CAIR Civil Rights Report Reveals Highest Number of Complaints in Group’s 30-Year History

‘Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate’ documents 8,061 total complaints received nationwide in 2023, showing even higher spike than after Trump’s Muslim Ban 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released its 2024 civil rights report, which reveals the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history, at a news conference at its Capitol Hill headquarters in Washington, D.C.   

SEE: 2024 Civil Rights Report: Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate   

WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE 

Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documents 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.   

The report notes that the 2023 wave of anti-Muslim incidents was a 56 percent jump over the previous year and surpassed even the period following the implementation of President Trump’s Muslim Ban, which saw a 32 percent jump over the previous year.   

Immigration and asylum cases comprised 20% of total complaints received in 2023. Employment discrimination (15%), education discrimination (8.5%), and hate crimes and incidents (7.5%) are among the highest reported categories.    

“The data confirms what we have known for months. Since October 2023, a number of American politicians have blatantly promoted anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric in a bid to justify the Israeli government’s genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” said CAIR Research & Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “We are seeing the consequences of this reckless and racist targeting reflected in the data as one of the worst years of anti-Muslim hate recorded in CAIR’s 30-year history.”   

In its previous 2023 Civil Rights report, CAIR marked a first-ever decline in complaints reported to its offices. The report’s findings were considered an indication of progress toward mitigating the impact of Islamophobia in the US.   

SEE: 2023 Civil Rights Report: Progress in the Shadow of Prejudice   

In a statement, CAIR National Director Nihad Awad said: 

“The massive and unprecedented rise in complaints documented in CAIR’s civil rights data is almost certainly a result of the widespread use of anti-Muslim rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism to justify the genocide in Gaza and silence Americans who have spoken out against it over the past several months. 

“We do not expect an end to the hateful attacks on our communities here until we see an end to the genocide in Gaza. We call on government agencies, companies and local communities to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, reject hateful discrimination against American Muslims and others who speak up against the genocide, and take other steps recommended in our report so that our nation can make lasting progress in the fight to advance justice for all.” 

SEE: CAIR-Ohio, Muslim Community Issue Open Letter Urging Elected Officials to Take a Stand Against Israel’s Genocidal Actions, Rise of Anti-Muslim Hate 

The report also details dozens of anti-Muslim incidents that occurred in the United States in 2023.   

SEE: CAIR-Ohio Raises Alarm Over Dramatic Surge in Islamophobic Incidents Linked to Ongoing Crisis in Middle East 

The report also documents continued efforts to challenge the federal government’s watchlist in 2023, including a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.   

SEE: Twenty Years Too Many: A Call to Unwind the FBI’s Secret Watchlist    

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CONTACT:  CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Amina Barhumi, 614-763-6557, abarhumi@cair.com 

CAIR-Ohio Condemns Violence Against Worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque

(COLUMBUS, OH – 4/5/23) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) strongly condemns the recent violent attacks on Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. According to reports, Israeli occupying forces stormed the mosque during prayer and assaulted worshippers, resulting in dozens of injuries. 

SEE: Israeli forces attack worshippers in violent Al-Aqsa Mosque raid 

As an organization dedicated to combating Islamophobia and protecting the civil liberties of Muslims, CAIR-Ohio stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemns the violent abuse against innocent worshippers.  

In a statement, CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi said: 

“We are outraged by the brutal attack on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is especially egregious considering it is the holiest month for Muslims. This is a blatant violation of their fundamental right to practice their religion freely and without fear. The Israeli government’s systematic oppression of Palestinians, including the use of violence against innocent civilians, is a form of institutionalized Islamophobia that must be addressed by the international community.” 

Following the initial attack, Israel continued its assault on the Gaza Strip, with airstrikes targeting civilian areas and causing widespread destruction and loss of life. CAIR-Ohio condemns these acts of aggression against innocent Palestinians and calls for an immediate end to the violence. 

SEE: Israel attacks Gaza Strip, Al-Aqsa Mosque 

CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh added, “We urge the US government to take immediate action to address this grave injustice and to defend the human rights of Palestinians and to pass the ‘Combating International Islamophobia Act’, which would track these incidents globally. We also call on all people of conscience to speak out against this violence and to support efforts to end the illegal Israeli occupation.” 

CAIR-Ohio joins the global community in demanding that Israel immediately ceases its violent attacks on Palestinian worshippers and respect the human rights of all Palestinians and the holy site of Al-Aqsa, especially during this holy month of Ramadan. 

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.  

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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Amina Barhumi, abarhumi@cair.com, 614-763-6557; CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247 

CAIR-Ohio Empowers American Muslim Students

CAIR-Ohio empowers American Muslim students with the necessary skills to positively impact their communities.

In 2021, we held our first ever six-week Summer Internship Development Program. This program gives a cohort of undergraduate students the opportunity to work on organizational projects both independently and collaboratively to gain important skills, community connections, and work experience to help advance their future academic and professional endeavors.

Watch the video below to learn more.

Registration for summer 2022 is now open. The program will take place in Columbus AND Cincinnati this year. The four-week training intensive is designed for college students looking to jump-start their skills in grassroots activism and advocacy.

Students may apply by May 15 for CAIR-Ohio’s 2022 Summer Internship Development Program at bit.ly/internwithcairohio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoCdwXixpcQ&feature=emb_logo

CAIR-Ohio 2021 Annual Report

In 2021, our pro bono legal team assisted 365 community members. Our team filed 22 complaints for Muslims who experienced religious discrimination and handled 20 immigration cases.

With your support, we were able to reunite families, fight religious discrimination at work and in schools, and educate and empower our community.

We hope you will take a moment to celebrate these collective achievements and view our 2021 Annual Report.