CONTACT INFORMATION:
comms@ncapaonline.org
[***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***]
RELEASE DATE
September 24th, 2024
NCAPA issued the following statement in response to the the rise in xenophobic, hateful rhetoric towards immigrants:
As leaders of national Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander civil rights organizations, we unequivocally denounce the anti-immigrant and hateful speech we have witnessed over the last few weeks.
We are alarmed by elected officials’ increasing willingness to villainize immigrants in an effort to sow fear and division – from the dangerous, dehumanizing and false narrative about Haitian immigrants pushed by former President Trump, to the despicable Islamophobic comments made by Senator John Kennedy to an Arab American witness during a Senate hearing on hate crimes. We must reject the normalization of hate speech, and any official or candidate who chooses to utilize this dehumanizing, divisive rhetoric should be held accountable.
As a community that has had to navigate the xenophobic attacks from the pandemic for the last four years, we stand with the Haitian, Arab American, and other immigrant communities in condemning those who would put targets on our backs to score cheap political points.
NCAPA National Director Gregg Orton said: “When leaders of this nation model hate, their constituents will follow. We bore witness to this truth throughout the pandemic, and we are witnessing it again today. It is easy to dismiss all of this as political theater when you aren’t the one being impacted by it. And it is this shameful lack of empathy and intentional reliance on anti-immigrant rhetoric that continues to erode public trust and put communities of color in harm’s way.”
John C. Yang, President & Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, said: “The hate speech and baseless narratives around immigrant communities spread by elected officials and candidates this past week have been shameful and alarming displays of discrimination. The Haitian American community has been the target of racist and dangerous rumors spread by political figures. Two days ago, we witnessed a hateful attack on our friend and ally, Maya Berry of Arab American Institute, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. We know that xenophobic conspiracy theories have very real consequences such as the increased vulnerability to violence and hatred. In the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPIs) communities we are intimately acquainted with the stigmatization and dehumanization of already-targeted populations. We stand with the Haitian American and Arab American communities to strongly condemn these attacks. We also call on all political candidates and elected officials to reject this divisive, xenophobic rhetoric and instead uphold policies and solutions that protect and uplift all communities being attacked based on their identity.”
Christine Catipon, President of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA), said: “We as psychologists and members of the Asian American Psychological Association unequivocally denounce the hateful, stigmatizing rhetoric directed at Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH, and toward Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry during the recent Senate hearing, and we stand in solidarity. Given our shared history with this hostility, we know all too well how incredibly harmful and long-lasting these hateful ideological messages are at the institutional, interpersonal, and individual levels.”
“There is no excuse for these intentionally inflammatory statements that will inevitably increase threats of violence against already at-risk recently arrived immigrants,” said Jeffrey Caballero, Executive Director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO). “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities are far too aware of the consequences of xenophobic rhetoric by leaders in positions of power. We call on all members of our community to condemn hate speech and anti-immigrant rhetoric in any form. Our leaders and those in positions of power must act to unite and respect the humanity of all Americans.”
Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), said: “As the leader of an organization dedicated to advancing scholarship and fostering inclusive dialogue, I unequivocally denounce the alarming rise of anti-immigrant and hateful rhetoric in our public discourse. The dangerous, dehumanizing language targeting immigrant communities, including recent xenophobic attacks on Haitian and Arab American communities, is both unacceptable and deeply troubling. Our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities know all too well the painful consequences of xenophobia. The surge in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic was fueled by similar reckless language, and we stand in solidarity with our Haitian, Arab American, and other immigrant professionals and communities. Hate speech, in all its forms, must be rejected, and we call for political discourse that respects the dignity and safety of all communities, empowering us to live and work without fear.”
Soukprida Phetmisy, Executive Director of Act To Change, said: “As an organization dedicated to empowering AAPI youth and combating bullying, we, at Act To Change, are deeply concerned by the increasing normalization of hateful rhetoric—whether it’s anti-immigrant or Islamophobic narratives. Such harmful speech targeting Haitians, Arab Americans, and other marginalized groups creates an atmosphere of fear and division. The dehumanization inherent in these comments not only puts our communities at risk but also deeply affects the young people we strive to empower and protect. The words we use can have far-reaching consequences, not only endangering lives, but also contributing to a culture of fear that has lasting effects on youth. We call on all leaders to reject xenophobia and Islamophobia and instead champion empathy and understanding.”
Ligaya Domingo, President of APALA, said: “No matter where we come from, our race, ethnicity, life experiences that led us to this country, we work hard to support our families. But today, certain politicians and their greedy corporate interests are pointing the finger for our hard times on poor people, Black people, and new immigrants. We need to join together to elect people who will work for all of us and who see the value in all of us.”
Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote, said: “AAPIs have experienced this oppressive cause-and-effect during the pandemic when our communities endured a rise in anti-Asian hate and violence due to reckless political rhetoric used for political gain. We unequivocally condemn the language being used to stoke xenophobia against communities of color. APIAVote stands for political discourse that respects our right to live without fear of violence, to cast our votes and have them counted, and to decide for ourselves what our futures will hold.”
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV) Director of Policy, Grace Huang, said, “We know that xenophobic and racist narratives cause real harm in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) and immigrant communities. Unfortunately, when immigrant communities are dehumanized and stigmatized, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of violence are put at higher risk. The disappointing rhetoric coming from elected officials sends that message that victims can be targeted, and don’t deserve access to help. Unfortunately, victims in AA and NHPI and immigrant communities may fear reaching out for help, for fear of calling attention to themselves. And those engaging in violence or causing harm are emboldened in targeting victims in our communities. We call on our elected officials and electoral candidates to acknowledge the impacts their words can have, and to uplift unifying, healthy messages.”
Executive Director Rod Lew of Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Leadership (APPEAL) said: “We strongly denounce the harmful and divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric against Haitian and Arab American communities. Since the beginning of our country’s history, immigrants have enriched our society, contributing to our culture, economy, and vitality. There is no place in our country for inflammatory language that not only spreads misinformation but also fuels hatred, fear, and discrimination. We, as Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, are all too familiar with enduring anti-immigrant attacks against our communities. We join with others in amplifying a collective voice against such hatred and injustice, and toward building a country that treats everyone with dignity and respect.”
TrangKhanh Tran, Chief Operating Officer of Boat People SOS, Inc., said: “Hateful speech against immigrants not only undermines our shared humanity but also sows division and fear in our communities. We at BPSOS believe that in a world that thrives on diversity, anti-immigrant rhetoric will strip away our compassion. Understanding and empathy are our greatest strengths. History has shown us the destructive power of hate. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past by allowing anti-immigrant speech to go unchecked.”
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) Co-Executive Director Karla Thomas said: “The hateful and degrading speech used by these politicians puts a target on immigrants and perpetuates a dangerous narrative on an already vulnerable community. When left unchecked, it can drive a wedge between us in a time where we should be coming together. We condemn this behavior and urge national leaders to do better and model examples of unity, empathy, and respect for all communities.”
Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Executive Director, David Inoue, said: “It is a clear failure of leadership when people like Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate Vance and Senator Kennedy use lies to disparage and dehumanize people for their political gain. The same racism and failures in leadership were what led to the unconstitutional incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. While we say such atrocities must never happen again, former President Trump has similarly called for mass deportations of immigrants should he be re-elected. We as a nation must denounce and reject these blatantly racist perspectives as anachronistic and un-American and move forward on a path towards reconciliation and repair.”
Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, said, “The recent xenophobic rhetoric from our politicians, including derogatory phrases like ‘eating cats and dogs’ and the racist remarks directed at Maya Berry, exemplifies hate speech that escalates tensions and deepens divisions within our country. Such statements perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the values of inclusivity. We call on our leaders to stop utilizing harmful language and consider having a baseline level of respect for all.”
Vimala Phongsavanh, Chair of LANA, said, “Being part of and serving a community that has faced racist attacks, LANA stands in solidarity with those targeted by hateful rhetoric. When elected officials use xenophobia to divide us, they uphold systems of oppression that harm all marginalized communities. We know the impact of these attacks, and we are committed to fighting alongside others to dismantle these racist tactics and build a society rooted in justice, solidarity, and liberation for all.”
Linda Akutagawa, President & CEO of LEAP, said, “With the continued and intentional misinformation, disparagement, and attacks on immigrants in the U.S., particularly the Haitian community, LEAP joins NCAPA and other organizations in condemning the hateful and immature actions of those who seek sow discord and distrust for solely for selfish political interests. Strong, principled leaders seek to unite and inspire all to give their best based on a common vision and values. Let’s all lead by standing collectively against hate and remembering that as a nation, we are stronger together.
Pata Suyemoto, Executive Director of NAAPIMHA, said: “The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, NAAPIMHA, strongly denounces the hate filled speech and actions that unfortunately has always been a part of this country’s history dividing us into “we” and “they”. Blatantly false statements have recently gained new power in the current political climate that chooses to make immigrants and anyone deemed different to be seen and treated as the “enemy”. Leaders who either spread these lies or fail to condemn such rhetoric for political gains only add fuel to the fire which can have devastating consequences at the individual, community, and national levels. It has led to physical violence resulting in death and destruction of homes and businesses. The emotional trauma and mental health impact cannot be overstated. For some this is their first encounter that has made them fear for their safety, for others who fled a war-torn country, their emotional trauma is triggered by the threat of violence they thought they left behind.The magnitude of the current hate is damaging the very emotional and mental health of the country where it is becoming more difficult to trust, engage in dialogue, and find common solutions. It is everyone’s responsibility to say “no more” to hate at any level.”
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) Co-Director, Becky Belcore, said: “The racist and xenophobic depictions of our immigrant community members are engineered to distract all Americans from the serious problems impacting all of our lives: inflation, rising unemployment, food insecurity, unaffordable housing and healthcare, to name a few. It is time for us as a country to wake up and realize this hate speech only serves to divide us from each other, preventing us from unifying together for positive change for all of us.”
National Asian Pacific American Families Allied for Substance Awareness and Harm Reduction (NAPAFASA) Executive Director Marielle Reataza: “Our national leaders and experts will challenge each other for the purpose of progress. This is good; we should expect this. However, what we’re seeing today in this political arena are vicious attacks intended to instigate fear, dehumanize us and our neighbors, and distract us from issues at the core of why so many Americans are hurting right now. How much longer will we tolerate this? When will we do better? When will we choose better? This isn’t just about hateful rhetoric. At the end of the day, it’s the public that gets caught in the crossfire between the people who have power and the people who want more.”
“We are deeply disturbed by the continued use of anti-immigrant and racist tropes in the public discourse,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF. “The continued demonization of Haitian communities based on lies and xenophobic stereotypes by current and former elected officials is a shameful breach of the public trust. A U.S. senator’s use of an anti-Arab and anti-Muslim trope to discredit a witness in a hearing about bigotry is a deeply disturbing act of prejudice. This blatant attempt to weaponize racial identity is not only offensive but also undermines efforts to combat the increasing tide of hate.”
South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) President Samira Khan said: “Hate speech not only dehumanizes individuals but also erodes the public trust necessary to foster healthy communities. It fuels violence, worsens mental health issues, and creates an environment of fear that harms our collective well-being. We are alarmed by the rise in xenophobic rhetoric targeting immigrants and communities of color, which leads to increased anxiety, depression, and alienation. It is time for our leaders to uphold the values of empathy, inclusion, and respect, which are essential to the health, safety, and well-being of our society.”
SEARAC Executive Director Quyên Đinh said: “Recent hateful and baseless language aimed at Haitian and Arab American communities cannot have any place in our society. Such violent rhetoric from political leaders endanger immigrants and refugees; for example, a report released earlier this year showed that four out of every ten Southeast Asian Americans surveyed were called a slur in the last year. We urge elected officials to remove this vile, immoral tactic from their political playbooks. Our country is stronger when our communities are united in humanity, not divided by hate.”
Sikh Coalition Executive Director Harman Singh said: “The Sikh community knows all too well the consequences that follow when incendiary rhetoric targets already marginalized and maligned groups. We are alarmed by the behavior that came out of last week’s debate and this week’s Senate Judiciary hearing. If hateful and xenophobic sentiments are normalized at the highest levels of our government, hate crimes among communities will only continue to get worse.”
Manjusha Kulkarni, Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate and Co-Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, said: “Leaders and other public figures who are spewing rampant anti-immigrant rhetoric and disinformation must be held accountable, as they’re fueling bigotry in the form of violent attacks, harassment, and discrimination against millions of people across the nation. Stop AAPI Hate’s research shows that xenophobic rhetoric inspires acts of hate in the real world against not just immigrants but also people of color more broadly. Politicians have long dehumanized and vilified immigrants for political gain, and we cannot let their deceptive, dangerous tactics continue to divide the American people and erode our shared values of equality and freedom for all.”
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of forty-one national Asian Pacific American organizations. We represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities and provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns.