A Palestinian-American family is not sure why federal officials searched its home Friday night. U.S. Secret Service agents arrived at the home of Salah and Rasmieh Al-Rifai about 9 p.m. Friday, said Mamoun Al-Rifai, 23, one of the couple’s two American-born sons who was home at the time of the search. Al-Rifai said the agents produced a search warrant at 4 a.m. Saturday. He said the warrant authorized agents to look for documents relating to “possible targets,” that could be tied to terrorist activity.
He said the agents confiscated computers, discs and mail from two Islamic charities, the Global Relief Foundation and the Benevolence International Foundation. The Global Relief Foundation has been accused of helping terrorists, and the Benevolence International Foundation’s bank accounts were frozen by the Treasury Department on grounds it was suspected of terrorist fundraising.
Al-Rifai said the family has nothing to do with the two charities, but has received mail from the groups.
Randall Samborn, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago, said he could not comment on the investigation.
