Discrimination severely limits the economic and social opportunities available to Hispanic Americans. NCLR conducts policy analysis and advocacy activities in the civil rights arena in order to promote and protect equality of opportunity in voting, justice issues, education, employment, housing, and health care for all Americans.
Related Policies
Federal Policies
- Juvenile Justice
- A century ago, the United States juvenile justice system was created with the purpose to rehabilitate children who committed criminal infractions so that society may benefit from a productive individual upon reentry. Over the decades, however, more punitive approaches were implemented to “treat” America’s young offender in the name of safety. The result has been an ever-increasing population of incarcerated youth within the juvenile and adult justice systems, mostly nonviolent offenders and youth of color. In fact, Latino and Black youth today make up a larger proportion of those in prison than in the general population. Further, spending to sustain this practice has increased more than ever, even though less expensive alternatives exist within local communities throughout the country. Discriminatory policies and practices have failed to make society safer as young offenders are being incarcerated for lower-level offenses.
- Criminal Justice
- Like all Americans, Hispanics are concerned about crime and the effects it has on youth and families. Some Latinos have experienced an unfair, arbitrary criminal and juvenile justice system.
- Racial Profiling
- Racial profiling tactics not only violate civil rights, they also undermine the ability of law enforcement to enforce the law effectively.
State Policies
- State/Local Police Enforcement of Immigration Laws (CLEAR Act)
- There have been several attempts to involve state and local police in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws. While the safety and security of our communities and our country are of the utmost importance, new policies that would allow local police departments to enforce federal civil immigration law will hinder terrorist and other criminal investigations, and have a serious negative impact on Latino communities.
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