CAPAC Chair Judy Chu Co-sponsors Ellison Amendment to End Racial Profiling
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), joined the Chairs of the Black, Hispanic, and Progressive Caucuses in co-sponsoring Congressman Keith Ellison’s amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (HR 5855) that would prohibit these funds from being used for racial, ethnic or religious profiling by state and local law entities or the Department of Homeland Security.
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair: “From immigration enforcement to airport security to local police work, there has been a disturbing rise in the use of discriminatory and ineffective profiling practices by law enforcement. This is not a reflection on the brave men and women who protect the public. It’s a systemic failure that starts – and should be stopped – at the top where policies are set. This amendment simply reiterates existing law, including the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and ensures that our federal funds are not used in direct contravention of these policies.
“During World War II, sentiments of mistrust and prejudice lead to the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. To this day, not a single case of espionage has been proven. The lesson from this dark hour of our history is these policies of racial profiling do nothing to protect us from real threats, while doing plenty to upend the lives of countless innocent Americans.”
Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05), CPC Chair: “In America, law enforcement should respect the dignity of each person. This amendment says DHS funds cannot be used to engage in racial, ethnic or religious profiling. Individuals should be stopped or detained because of clear criminal behavior and not because of their race, religion or ethnicity. Unfortunately, there is ample evidence that too many individuals have been singled out by law enforcement for these reasons and not because they were acting in a criminal manner. We respect the hard work of federal and local law enforcement officers who do so much to protect our families and our way of life. However, as the ‘Land of the Free and Home of the Brave’ America should reaffirm its commitment to uphold the values we hold dear and ensure we remain the land of ‘Liberty and Justice for All.’”
Background: Recent news reports have highlighted a surge in the use of racial, ethnic, and religious profiling. There have been numerous documented cases of Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian Americans being disproportionately targeted for “random screenings” at the airport; extensive domestic spying programs by the NYPD and FBI on Muslim Americans; and reports of Customs and Border Patrol agents targeting minorities without cause to inquire about their immigration status. While these policies are intended to protect the American people, it has been shown that they actually achieve the opposite effect by eroding trust in law enforcement, over extending limited resources, and alienating community partners who could provide critical insights into emerging threats and targeted leads.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.