Source: The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47098-2003Mar18.html
On March 18, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "Civil-rights groups and immigration advocacy organizations are protesting one element in the government's security procedures announced yesterday in anticipation of war in Iraq--a decision to jail asylum seekers from dozens of mostly Muslim nations while officials check out their claims of persecution in their home countries... The complaints rose as security was stepped up across the country today, with more federal agents assigned to U.S. borders, increased deployment of Coast Guard ships and aircraft at seaports, and health officials placed on special alert to watch for possible chemical or biological attack. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge also asked many of the nation's 50 governors to deploy the National Guard or state police at sensitive sites such as chemical plants and railroad bridges."