A United Nations anti-racism body has warned that rhetoric by United States President Donald Trump portraying migrants as criminals could incite discrimination and hate crimes. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern about what it described as derogatory and dehumanising language used in reference to migrants in the United States.
The committee said negative stereotypes promoted by influential political figures, particularly at the highest levels of government, could encourage racial discrimination and violence. It noted that language portraying migrants as criminals or a burden could increase hostility against migrant communities.
The warning comes as the Trump administration continues to pursue strict immigration policies following the president’s return to office last year. These measures include increased immigration arrests and detentions as well as efforts to remove legal status from hundreds of thousands of migrants living in the country.
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The UN panel also expressed concern about reports of excessive use of force during immigration enforcement operations and the possibility of racial profiling targeting people perceived to be migrants. It called on authorities in the United States to ensure that immigration policies and enforcement actions respect international human rights standards.
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