Question

Why is this a widespread problem?
law enforcement profiling Middle Eastern people

Answer 1

because they dont like it

Answer 2

Why not Google "profiling middle eastern people

Answer 3

and then Google "law enforcement profiling Middle Eastern people"

Answer 4

as a simpler case you can consider law enforcement profiling black Americans and see what problems have resulted, and extrapolate from there.

Answer 5

Some people think profiling may be a good idea, but it leads to so many problems. Profiling reinforces stereotypes which further make the problem worse. It's hard to break out of those rigid boxes if it's always done especially on a government level. Yes there are many cases where the culprit is of middle eastern descent, but there are billions of others who wish to be no part of the violence. The media paints a very slanted picture that you won't see the true perspective unless you actually go out and visit the countries and people. The media is biased like this to get higher ratings. It's one of the sad realities really.

And as others have said previously, profiling is unpleasant and something no one wants to go through. So as you can guess, it leads to unhappiness and anger. Which again, further fuels the problem. In a sense, it's a spiral that feeds on itself.