March 18, 2003 03:14 PM

Ridge is now jailing those seeking asylum from mostly Muslim countries.

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for a civil rights group: "It's a shocking development. Many asylum applications can take years. It seems unfair to put people in jail who are escaping persecution and who have done nothing wrong just because they are from certain countries."

Tom Ridge, head of Homeland Security: "Your federal government is ready. We're going to do everything possible to minimize disruption."

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