The organization, infamous for defending the underdog and the outcast, has faced several of the same roadblocks that the consulates have faced, as well as some obstacles that are all its own. Consulates of Muslim countries have been thwarted by the secrecy of detainee identities. And things have been no different for the ACLU.

In October, as questionable detentions grew in numbers and roused critics of the government, the ACLU's new president, Anthony D. Romero, asked for a meeting with FBI Director, Robert S. Mueller III. Although his request was granted, Mueller allegedly dodged all the questions that Romero and his staff presented.

Romero came to the conclusion that an aggressive strategy was needed. "If the government is not going to provide us with the names of the people who are being detained," Romero promised, his organization would go about things in its own way.

The ACLU first compiled available information on detainees and increased its contacts with Arab, Muslim and Sikh groups and their attorneys. A brochure informing immigrants of their rights was published in English, Spanish and Arabic. It will soon be available in Punjabi as well. The organization wrote to the five consulates dealing with the greatest number of detainees (Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Yemen) and offered their help. This was where they met other obstacles, mainly a suspicious, confused and chilly reception from foreign officials who are not convinced that an American group can or will help their Arab citizens.

As 2001 came to an end, the ACLU joined forces with other groups in a lawsuit against the feds that demanded detainee information under the Freedom of Information Act.

The ACLU may have to work on buffing up its image as an agency with a good cause after coming under severe scrutiny for defending freedom of speech for pedophiles last year. More importantly though, Romero and his staff hope to raise public awareness in an effort to bolster support for their current cause. They plan to release personal photographs and stories of innocent Middle Eastern men, harassed, detained and otherwise effected by the new racial profiling that has taken center stage in the 'War Against Terrorism." Unfortunately for the ACLU and its allies, those photos and stories will have to compete with those of the 9/11 victims, and that could make the fight a whole lot more difficult.

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