For more than 20 years, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has advocated for the civil rights of American Muslims. Our Ohio chapter is one of the busiest and most dynamic of CAIR’s thirty nationwide affiliates – defending, representing, and educating our community.
CAIR-Ohio’s Legal Advocacy efforts work to ensure the equal protection of the law for Muslims in Ohio. By working to uphold the constitution, we reinforce the American principles of justice and freedom for all Americans.
CAIR-Ohio has two full-time attorneys on staff who provide free legal representation for victims of various forms of discrimination. We pursue the appropriate remedying measures ranging from cultural sensitivity training for the perpetrating party, to mediation, to filing complaints with government agencies, to full litigation. Right now our attorneys are representing more than 30 Muslims just in federal court alone.
TYPES OF CASES WE TAKE
SCHOOL & EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION:
CAIR-Ohio provides legal counsel and representation for those who have experienced discrimination at educational institutions and/or places of employment by exercising means of arbitration, employee-employer dialogue and/or dispute resolution, filing with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and litigation in court.
FBI QUESTIONING REPRESENTATION:
CAIR-Ohio advises Americans to exercise their legal rights by having legal representation when questioned by law enforcement. We provide free legal representation for Ohio Muslims who have been contacted by law enforcement for questioning to ensure their rights are being protected.
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION:
CAIR-Ohio provides legal representation for those who have been denied service or treated differently in a place of public accommodation based on their religion and/or national origin.
RACIAL PROFILING:
CAIR-Ohio assists Muslims who have been profiled, discriminated against or unduly detained at border crossings, airports, and in other similar circumstances. Please alert CAIR-Ohio if you have experienced invasive questioning, prolonged detainment and other forms of discrimination at the airport, border crossings or similar situations with local law enforcement.
IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS & SEEKING PROTECTION FOR REFUGEES:
CAIR-Ohio provides representation for various types of immigration applications, including for those immigrants seeking asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.
IMMIGRATION DELAY LITIGATION:
Muslims often experience a much longer wait to have their immigration applications adjudicated; sometimes even waiting many years. CAIR-Ohio regularly files federal lawsuits for various types of immigration application delays. Our most common cases involve delayed green card or naturalization applications, but we have also filed lawsuits for delayed consular applications and other types of immigration benefits. For more info, see our Immigration Delay Lawsuit FAQ.
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION FOR PRISONERS:
CAIR-Ohio has secured a range of Muslim friendly policies at various correctional facilities, especially relating to prisoner accommodation during Ramadan (the month of fasting).
To request free legal assistance, use our online complaint form or call 614-451-3232.