9 months ago
Kavanaugh Ruling Opens Door to Racial Profiling in Immigration Stops
The Supreme Court said it's okay for immigration agents to consider race when stopping people.
This has led to more stops of Latinos, even U.S. citizens, causing fear in communities.
No one knows exactly how many citizens have been detained.
A case is being fought in court to see if this is legal.
Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow immigration agents to consider race among factors for stops
Justice Kavanaugh concurred, saying it's 'common sense' to consider 'apparent ethnicity'
Immigration lawyers and rights groups warn of increased racial profiling
Residents report increased stops targeting Latinos, even U.S. citizens
No official data on detained citizens, but over 170 cases documented by ProPublica
- Who
- Immigration agents, U.S. citizens and legal residents
- What
- Increased stops based on race and other factors
- Where
- Los Angeles, Chicago, and other areas with immigration crackdowns
- When
- Since the Supreme Court ruling in September 2021
- Why
- To target undocumented immigrants, but also affecting U.S. citizens
Immigration Rights Advocates
Homeland Security
Racial Profiling
Immigration Rights Advocates
Greenlit by the Supreme Court, causing fear among Latinos
Homeland Security
Operations are 'highly targeted' and not based on race
Key facts
- Ruling Date
- September 2021
- Votes
- 6-3
- Plaintiffs' Argument
- Agents targeted working-class Latinos
- Kavanaugh's Stance
- Consider 'apparent ethnicity'
- Documented Cases of Detained Citizens
- Over 170 in 2021
Quotes
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
“It was constitutionally permissible—and indeed ‘common sense’—to target people due to ‘apparent ethnicity’ combined with other factors, such as speaking Spanish or being at a car wash or bus stop.”
theweek.com
Jennifer Bade
Immigration attorney in Boston
“This effectively makes us a ‘show your papers’ nation where appearance and language is going to make everyone a suspect.”
theweek.com
Mark Fleming
Attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center
“We have never seen this type of enforcement on the streets ever.”
theweek.com
Maria Greeley
Chicago restaurant worker
“I am Latina and I am a service worker. I fit the description of what they’re looking for now.”
theweek.com
Tricia McLaughlin
Homeland Security spokeswoman
“ICE operations are ‘highly targeted’ and calls allegations of racial profiling ‘categorically false.’”
theweek.com
Leo Garcia Venegas
U.S.-born citizen who was detained by federal agents
“I cannot work in peace anymore. I am always nervous.”
theweek.com
