Guest Column
FBI Reports Hate Crimes Against Hispanics Are Up 25% Since 2004
Increase in assaults comes simultaneous to rise in anti-immigrant legislation
NOVEMBER 26, 2007 - Last week's release of the annual Federal Bureau of Investigation Hate Crimes Statistics Report documents and quantifies the increase in anti-Latino sentiment and community tensions we see across the nation. The FBI reports a sustained increase in crimes committed based on the perceived ethnicity or national origin of the victim. Some of the key points from the report:
- A greater percentage of crimes motivated by national origin are committed against Hispanics compared to the previous year. In 2006, almost two-thirds of all ethnic-based hate crimes were committed against Hispanics.
- Since 2004, the number of victims of anti-Hispanic crimes increased by 25%.
- While most race-based and religion-based hate crimes involve intimidation instead of assault, most hate crimes against Hispanics (and Asian Americans, Indians and gays) were assaults.
- Anti-Hispanic crimes are more severe. Unlike every other group, only Hispanics suffered a greater number of aggravated assaults than simple assaults.
The numbers do not tell the whole story. Crimes in which perpetrators choose their victims because they perceive them to be undocumented, and thus less likely to report crimes to the local police and more likely to be carrying cash, are often labeled "crimes of opportunity." Even though the majority of such victims are Latinos, these crimes are not reported as offenses motivated by their ethnicity. In Pasadena, California, MALDEF has met with city officials about "Sock on Mexican" crimes which occur late at night against Hispanics who may be leaving their jobs in restaurants or offices. Pasadena police reported 60 such crimes last year and, due to community policing and other efforts, a reduction to 23 this year. Yet, despite 60 "Sock on Mexican" crimes in 2006, the Pasadena Police Department reported only six ethnic-based hate crimes.
The rise in hate crimes and other crimes where Hispanics are singled out is a consequence of the anti-immigrant hatred heard on the airwaves and in political debates that demonizes immigrants and Latinos. These attacks provide greater urgency for Congress and the President to enact comprehensive immigration reform. MALDEF will remain at the forefront of legal battles counteracting hatred and striking down anti-immigrant ordinances and statutes in order to protect and advance our community's legal rights.
Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino legal organization, promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through litigation, advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development and higher education scholarships.
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