Guide Note

On July 2, 2008, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Department of Justice was considering a new policy that would allow the FBI to investigate United States citizens based on a terrorist profile without evidence or allegations of specific wrongdoing.¹

The Justice Department has denied that the revised investigation guidelines would allow racial profiling.²

Fast Facts

1. Guidelines restricting the use of race as a factor in investigations were established in 2003²
2. George W. Bush has rejected the use of race or ethnicity as a basis for investigation²
3. Changes would be part of FBI terrorism investigation guidelines revision effort
4. Led by Attorney General Michael Mukasey²
5. Official representatives say revisions will not change policy towards racial profiling²
6. Prior to policy change, FBI required specific allegations or evidence
7. The Associated Press cites several anonymous FBI agents¹
8. Reports that, according to these sources, agents would be able to open investigations based on traits "deemed suspicious"¹
9. Policy changes set to take effect by the end of summer 2008¹