Prior to 9/11, every person, even the yellow cab driver, the car service
persons were doing great. This little neighborhood expanded,
and every other person you'll see, they were trying to open up a
new business.
But after 9/11 people got scared,
community members got scared, they actually fled because there were so many
round ups were happening just because of a person's name,
people were afraid. And it actually... There was an Exodus that happened.
When we surveyed during that time, we found out that over 20,000 Pakistanis
and other Muslims left Brooklyn, and they migrated to where? Canada and
other countries.
And under the reason, the reason was given was we're fleeing America,
the freedom of the world,
and we're being persecuted.
And it was just unbelievable. I know, even till today,
if you go to Canada, in Toronto, you will see a bustling little
Pakistan in Toronto.
And I remember when I went to visit there,
the hair stylist who was next to the grocery store in my neighborhood,
he migrated there and he actually has his own store,
his own hair stylist store, his own house, and he said,
"I'm living the American dream in Canada."
and I was like, "Oh my God", he's like, "Yes, I'm living the
American dream in Canada. I was so afraid after 9 11,
what was happening in the neighborhood that I just left." Alright so during
the time of special registration, this is what was happening, this was one
of our clients. Any person who was a Pakistani,
they were in a catch 22, if they were a visitor into the
United States. They were damned if they didn't register, and they were damned
if they did.
This particular student registered. He had a visa, he was going to school.
When he registered, he was detained for almost, I think 24 hours,
he wasn't allowed to get anything to eat,
and then he was informed that he has to leave the country.
He's like, "But my Visa says I'm allowed to stay and I'm allowed to
go to school here." But yet they were being put into deportation proceedings,
and this is what happened to so many at that time,
this is what scared the community,
this is what scared everyone and anyone who was here. Twenty five countries
were put on to that and Pakistan was one of those countries.