U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is asking federal authorities to investigate the New York Police Department's surveillance of New Jersey's Muslim communities.

In a letter Thursday to the U.S. attorney general and CIA director, he expresses concern over Associated Press reports that the NYPD spied on Muslims in Newark and monitored Muslim student groups.

He asks whether protocols were followed with regard to informing New Jersey law enforcement.

Menendez is the first U.S. senator known to make such a request, though dozens of U.S. House members have asked for a similar investigation. The Justice Department has said it's being reviewed.

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey says authorities in the state should be contacted about surveillance there. He says only "behavioral profiling," not "ethnic or religious profiling," should be pursued.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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