Rep. Takano Introduces the Prevention of Anti-Immigrant Violence Act to Protect Non-Citizen Victims of Hate Crimes
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced the Prevention of Anti-Immigrant Violence Act of 2019 to expand access to U visas for non-citizen victims of hate crimes and prevent their detention and deportation until their case is properly adjudicated. It also authorizes funds to support law enforcement efforts to reduce anti-immigrant hate crimes and community-based legal or victim services organizations.
“Due to President Trump’s xenophobic, anti-immigrant agenda, the number of hate crimes in this country continues to rise. Unfortunately, at least half of all hate crimes go unreported due to immigrants’ fear of turning to the authorities or the improper classification of these attacks on vulnerable communities. My bill addresses this growing issue by protecting immigrants who are victims of hate crimes and holding those who specifically target people based on their race or ethnicity accountable,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “Our diversity is our strength, and in this country, there is no room for hate. I will continue to fight for immigrants and minority groups to ensure that they not only feel safe, but welcomed, in the United States of America.”
The Prevention of Anti-Immigrant Violence Act of 2019 expands access to U visas to non-citizen victims of hate crimes by adding hate crimes to the list of qualifying U visa crimes. U visas are set aside for victims who have suffered abuse while in the U.S. and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime. The bill strengthens the ability for law enforcement agencies to pursue these cases and protect non-citizen victims by allowing them to seek justice without fear of reprisal.
In recent years, hate crimes have increased in scope and are no longer limited to attacks on minorities. 2018 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data shows that 59.6% of hate crimes were motivated by race, ethnicity or ancestry. 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) data shows that non-citizens are victimized at a rate of approximately 12.5 victims per 1,000 non-citizens. The Bureau of Justice statistics experienced a precipitous decline in reporting of hate crimes since 2014, and NCVS data shows that more than half of all hate crimes (>100,000) have gone unreported between 2013 and 2017. At a rate of 12.5 victims per 1,000 reported hate crimes, we can reasonably estimate that a minimum of 2,250 hate crimes against non-citizens occur per year.
This bill also authorizes $10,000,000 in federal funds to be appropriated to support law enforcement and prosecution personnel dedicated to reducing anti-immigrant hate crimes. This funding can also be used to support national, state, local or non-governmental organizations whose mission is to identify and prosecute hate crimes, reduce anti-immigrant biased violence, or train or assist non-citizens navigate the process of applying for the U visa and any other form of immigration relief.
The following organizations have endorsed the legislation:
NAACP, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at CSUSB, UnidosUS, People for the American Way, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Immigration Equality Action Fund, Undocublack, The Council for Global Equality, OCA National - Asian Pacific American Advocates, Interfaith Alliance, Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund (SALDEF), National Center for Transgender Equality, Sikh Coalition, PFLAG National, Muslim Advocates, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Hindu American Foundation, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Japanese American Citizens League, Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities, Tahirih Justice Center, Freedom Network USA, and ASISTA.
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