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Judge Refuses to Prohibit Border Inspections

By Associated Press

Buffalo, NY – A federal judge is refusing to stop border officers from inspecting Muslim-Americans on their way home from a religious conference in Canada that begins Friday.

The New York Civil Liberties Union had sought the court action on behalf of five people who experienced delays of up to six hours at the US-Canadian border following last year's conference.

Homeland Security officials say they had information that potential terrorists might have attended the "Reviving the Islamic Spirit" conference or other similar gatherings. So they ordered customs inspectors to photograph, fingerprint and question everyone who said they attended the conference.

The civil liberties union sued, claiming those actions violated the constitutional rights of people who were just trying to practice their religion. But the judge in Buffalo disagreed. He said the situation was unfortunate and frustrating -- but legal.

The NYCLU says it will appeal.