Study: Anti-Immigrant Hate Crimes Persist

A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center reveals abuse and discrimation against Latinos in Suffolk County, N.Y.
Study: Anti-Immigrant Hate Crimes Persist
9/3/2009
Updated:
9/3/2009
NEW YORK—According to a research report released by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on Wednesday, Latino immigrants of Suffolk County, N.Y., are abused and discriminated against, on a regular basis, leading to an atmosphere of terror in the region.

The research was conducted in the aftermath of a brutal killing of an Ecuadorian immigrant, Marcelo Lucero, in Patchogue, N.Y., on November 8, 2008, which received national attention. Police reports indicate that the murder was executed by a group of seven teenagers, known as “Caucasian Crew,” who routinely conducted physical attacks on Latino immigrants. Following this tragic incident, a Spanish-speaking researcher from SPLC was sent to interview legal and illegal immigrants in the region.

The report cites numerous incidents of unjust racial profiling, harassment, verbal attacks, and physical beatings experienced by Latino residents of Suffolk County; including first-person accounts. Some of the listed examples include beatings with baseball bats, being shot with BB guns, and being run off the road while riding bicycles.

“I was crossing the street, and there was a car coming. First, they stopped for me to cross the street, and then, when I am crossing, they ran me over. When I fell on the ground, they got out of the car and kicked me,” recalled Carlos Morales, who moved from Mexico in 1998, in his interview published in the report. “They took baseball bats out of the back of their car. They hit me on my knees, in the face, on my back. One of them put his foot on my mouth and said, ‘You should go back to where you come from, you dirty Mexican.’ And he continued to hit me,” he continued.

SPLC research indicates that hatred for immigrant residents in the area stems from the elected government and law enforcement officials. The majority of interviewed immigrants expressed serious concern for biased treatment and neglect they regularly receive from the local law enforcement, and derogatory remarks they often hear from local politicians. County Executive, Steve Levy, who is the highest-ranking politician in Suffolk County, has been widely publicized for his strong desire to drive out undocumented residents.

“Too many Latinos are terrified. They are terrified to know that if they defend themselves, they get taken away in handcuffs. Practically, as an immigrant, you don’t have any rights here,” shared an immigrant from Guatemala, identified as Orlando.

According to the SPLC publication, the incidents in Suffolk County highlight a nationwide phenomenon of an increased number of hate organizations that specifically target undocumented non-Caucasian immigrants. The report also cites FBI data showing a 40 percent rise in anti-Latino hate crimes from 2003 to 2007.

The authors of the report recommend implementation of educational programs to combat bias-related crimes, and better law enforcement training to handle and document such incidents. They also call for legislation to prohibit law enforcement officials from mandating immigration status disclosure during reporting of hate-related crimes.