Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on the Recent Hate-Inspired Attack Against Teenage Latina in Iowa

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statement in response to the rise in hate crimes against Latinos during the Trump Administration, including a recent attack against a teenage girl in Iowa because of her ethnicity:

"Across this country, Latinos are experiencing hate crimes at a rate 41% higher than 2016. In August, twenty-two lost their lives in a domestic terrorist attack on El Paso directed at Latinos and immigrants. Earlier this fall, a man suffered an acid attack and just this week a young girl was almost murdered because of her ethnicity. And every day, Latinos face overt and subtle racism and discrimination in their daily lives.

"This is not normal, and it is not a coincidence that these trends coincide with the election and presidency of Donald Trump. He built his political career demonizing Latinos as criminals or invaders and employs Stephen Miller - a known white nationalist whose policies target Latinos - as a Senior Advisor in his White House. The situation is dire, many Latinos feel that they have a target on their back. The fact is that under Trump's America, it has become dangerous for Latinos to walk in their communities or even go to the store.

"Our communities should not have to live in fear of hate and violence. The perpetrator admitted that she targeted this young Latina because she believed her to be 'Mexican.' She should be charged with a hate crime."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.