Pasadena Congresswoman Questions FBI’s Tactics, Saying Civil Rights Imperiled

Democratic Congresswoman Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena, questioned FBI Director James Comey Wednesday about his agency’s Countering Violent Extremism program during a committee meeting held to answer oversight questions.

Comey — who appeared before the House Judiciary Committee — was questioned by Chu about the FBI’s strategies to combat fanaticism in accordance with civil rights, fearing that they could promote profiling.

According to Chu, the Bureau’s “Don’t be a Puppet” website encourages the friends, teachers family of people who wish to travel ‘suspicious places’ like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to report them, which further make Muslims, Sikhs, South Asian and Middle Eastern students prone to prejudice and bullying.

“In today’s national security climate, and in the wake of domestic terror attacks like the one we saw next to my district in San Bernardino and elsewhere around the country, identifying domestic threats is imperative,” Chu said in a statement released to the media. “However, I – along with many national education, faith, and civil rights groups – am concerned that the FBI’s current approach encourages broad assumptions and religious prejudice.”

The FBI’s website also promotes reporting those who use ‘suspicious language’ with a guidance so vague, dangerous misconceptions may happen between those who simply speak a different language and those who are using inflammatory rhetoric, Chu said.

“It’s crucial that Congress, law enforcement, and concerned groups continue this conversation as we look to keep our country safe while balancing civil liberties. That is why I am grateful for the opportunity to once again question Director Comey,” Chu said. “We need a clearer understanding of what makes somebody a threat beyond their religion, language, or ethnicity.”

Chu, the first Chinese American woman to serve for the United States Congress, was first elected to California’s 27th congressional district — which includes Pasadena — in 2009.