(Washington)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) condemns the racist and inflammatory rhetoric of national, state and local politicians that spreads disinformation, exacerbates the suffering of certain communities, and gives oxygen to scapegoating and xenophobia.
It has become far too common for politicians to target immigrant communities. Rather than acknowledge the humanity of all members of our communities and focus on the contributions immigrants make to this country and to neighborhoods across our nation, these politicians choose to divide the public and sow fear among neighbors, schoolmates, and colleagues.
This type of political rhetoric only lays the groundwork for more hate and violence toward anyone who is seen as different because of the color of their skin, their status, their religion, or their gender, putting huge swaths of communities in danger. This unchecked and infectious growth of white supremacist sentiment gravely concerns us all, especially as we see bursts of hate crime perpetrated across the country as a result of it.
The ILRC will continue to fight against disinformation and hateful stereotypes based on fascist and xenophobic tropes. This rhetoric, which has been used for decades, must be stopped before it leads to more harm and violence.
###
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC