Harrisburg, Pa. — On Sept. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal judge’s order that prohibited ICE agents in Los Angeles from questioning people about their immigration status based on characteristics that have been criticized as racial profiling.
These characteristics are apparent racial identity; speaking English with an accent or speaking Spanish; and working manual, low-wage jobs.
Chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, released the following statement regarding the court’s decision:
“The Supreme Court’s Republican majority has opened the door to government-sanctioned racial profiling, and I am outraged. By allowing federal agents to target people based on race, speaking Spanish, having an accent, or working in low-wage jobs, the court has chosen fear and prejudice over justice and equality. This ruling is RACIST, DANGEROUS, and UN-AMERICAN. My own mother speaks English with an accent and is a woman of color. Under this ruling, she, and millions of others like her can be treated as suspects for simply existing. That is not the America my family came to, and it is not the America we should accept today. Let’s be clear — immigrants are not the threat. Racial profiling and unchecked power are the threats. Targeting hardworking families and communities of color doesn’t make our country safer — it divides us, dehumanizes us, and betrays the very ideals of liberty and justice we claim to uphold,” she said.
“As chair of the PA Legislative Latino Caucus, I will not stand by while our communities are vilified. We will fight back with everything we have — through policy, through advocacy, and through solidarity. To my Latino, immigrant, and allied communities: you belong here. Your language, your work and your presence strengthen this nation. We will not let anyone, not even the highest court, erase that truth. Pa-lante!”
