Muslim Leaders Want Investigation In TSA Profiling Of Somali-Americans

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Muslim leaders in Minnesota are calling for an investigation after racial profiling accusations against the TSA.

TSA Assistant Security Director Andrew Rhoades testified before the United States House Overnight and government reform committee last week. Rhoades said he was asked by a TSA manager to racially profile Somalis at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

"We cannot allow our own government to engage and fuel Islamophobia by treating and targeting Somali-Americans as a community of suspect," Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR Minnesota, said Monday.

A spokeswoman from the TSA said in a statement that the agency does not tolerate racial profiling. She said the agency is reviewing the complaint and action will be taken if there is any evidence of inappropriate behavior.