US sued over nearly 20-year-old federal terrorist list by Muslim rights group

Council on American Islamic Relations (Cair) argues watchlist is used for ‘humiliation and harassment’ and should be withdrawn

A federal terrorist watchlist, mostly comprised of Muslim Americans, is Islamophobic and being used for “harassment and humiliation” and should be withdrawn, civil rights advocates argue.

Formally known as the Terrorist Screening Dataset, or “TSDS,” the watchlist is made up of more than 1.5 million people, most of whom are Muslim, according to attorneys from Muslim rights organization the Council on American Islamic Relations (Cair). Although the FBI says no one can be added to the watchlist due to their race, ethnicity or religion, Cair found about 98% of people on the list are Muslim.