Immigration rights advocates have expressed concerns over the proposal of a new hotline aimed at identifying individuals who may be uncomfortable with immigration. Anabel Mendoza, a spokesperson for the immigrant rights organization United We Dream, has criticized the motives behind the hotline, suggesting that its underlying intention is to sow division among Americans and encourage them to turn against their neighbors.
Mendoza stated, “Ultimately, what he is saying is that he wants the average American to turn against their neighbor. He wants them to racially profile, look at their neighbor and say, ‘I don’t like you being here,’ and therefore I am going to use this quote, unquote power that I think Tom Homan is trying to give the average person.”
Tom Wong, the director of the University of California-San Diego’s U.S. Immigration Policy Center, drew parallels between the proposed hotline and the activities of the Minutemen militia groups that historically operated along the Southern border. Wong expressed concerns that the implementation of such a hotline could fuel animosity towards immigrants, empower vigilante groups, and exacerbate issues related to racial profiling and discrimination.
Wong warned, “Such a hotline will turn citizens against immigrants, embolden vigilante groups, and serves as a recipe for racial profiling and increased discrimination. Undocumented communities will also be further driven into the shadows as citizens become part of the immigration enforcement apparatus.”
The proposal for the hotline comes amid ongoing debates surrounding immigration policy in the United States. The views expressed by advocates and experts highlight the potential implications of such initiatives on community relations, law enforcement practices, and the experiences of immigrant populations within the country.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY and reported by Lauren Villagran.
