The following are some of the questions the U.S. Department of Justice will ask as part of the new voluntary interview program for Middle Eastern men which the Justice Department announced will include men between the ages of 18 and 33 who have entered the United States after January, 2000 on non-immigrant visas. According to the Justice Department, none of those being requested to volunteer for the interviews are considered suspects or, in any way, associated with terrorist activities (Questions provided courtesy of the Detroit Free Press):
1) Identity. In addition to name, date and place of birth, and citizenship, officers will ask to see passport and visa. They will make notes about travel history and visa status. They will be on the lookout for false identification.
2) Telephone numbers. Officers will try to get all phone numbers used by the man, his family and close associates.
3) Education and employment. Officers will ask about educational background, including scientific expertise and professional licenses. They’ll also ask about current employment and sources of income.
4) Foreign travel. Officers will ask what foreign countries were visited, and the dates and reasons for those trips. They will ask whether he or anybody he knows has ever visited Afghanistan.
5) Armed conflicts. The man will be asked whether he or anybody he knows has ever participated in an armed conflict.
6) Reason for being in the United States. If the man’s status is tourist, officers will ask what cities, landmarks and other sites he has visited or plans to visit. If he is here as astudent, he’ll be asked about his studies and plans.
7) Knowledge of weapons. Officers will ask whether he or anybody he knows has access to guns, explosives, harmful chemicals, or biological or chemical weapons, or has training or expertise in such weapons.
8) Reaction to terrorism. The man will be asked how he felt when he heard about the Sept. 11 attacks and whether he noticed anybody who acted in a surprising or inappropriate manner. He’ll be asked whether he knows anyone who is sympathetic to the hijackers or other terrorists, and “whether he shares those sympathies to any degree.”
9) Knowledge of terrorism. Officers will ask whether he “knows anyone who is capable of or willing to carry out acts of terrorism,” or anyone raising money for terrorist activity, including by criminal activity such as drug trafficking or fraud. They’ll also ask whether the man or anyone he knows has received any training that “could be applicable to terrorist activities, whether it be training at terrorist camps, flight lessons or other training programs in the United States or abroad.”
10) Advocates of violence. Officers will ask whether the man “has heard of anyone recruiting persons to engage in violent acts against the United States or its citizens,” or anyone who is advocating “jihad.”
11) Terrorists overseas. Officers will ask whether the man is aware of people in his homeland advocating terrorism or able to help the United States in its fight against terrorism.
12) Sources of false documents. The man will be asked whether he is aware of anyone who possesses false identification or is involved in selling or supplying others with such documents.