A petition filed in Los Angeles accuses federal immigration agents of conducting a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” against Latino minorities in the United States. The petition, announced Monday by Representative Maxine Waters and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, seeks an investigation by the United Nations into potential human rights violations during immigration raids under President Trump’s administration.
The petition was filed on behalf of four U.S. citizens, including a pregnant woman who was shackled and detained, and millions of Latino immigrants and U.S. citizens. It calls for the U.N. Human Rights Council to appoint independent investigators to examine allegations of “kidnapping arrests, prolonged detentions without due process, and excessive use of force” by federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Border Patrol.
Waters stated that the government is failing when people are targeted based on appearance or language. Huerta, recalling past immigration sweeps, described the current raids as the worst she has seen.
Federal immigration authorities dismissed the petition as a “dangerous stunt” that could increase tensions. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, criticized the claims of “ethnic cleansing” as harmful rhetoric that vilifies law enforcement and incites violence against officers.
The petition comes just before President Trump is scheduled to speak at the U.N. General Assembly, adding international attention to the issue.
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