By Sushmita Roy

New York City is its own world. The most diverse city in the United States and probably even the world, is often referred to as a “melting-pot.” The city thrives on its immigrant energy and has often stood by its many ethnic communities. In its latest effort to protect its residents against discrimination, the city has passed a new law that makes it illegal to threaten someone with a call to immigration authorities or refer to them as an “illegal alien” due to hate.

Violating the restrictions is a punishable offence with fines that could go up to $250,000, the City Hall’s Commission on Human Rights said in a directive released last week.

Mayor De Blasio has previously condemned ICE raids in New York City. Picture Credit: Diana Robinson/ Flickr

“‘Alien’—used in many laws to refer to a ‘non citizen’ person—is a term that may carry negative connotations and dehumanize immigrants, marking them as ‘other.’ The use of certain language, including ‘illegal alien’ and ‘illegals,’ with the intent to demean, humiliate, or offend a person or persons constitutes discrimination under the NYCHRL,” reads the new immigration guidelines.

Nearly 60% of New Yorkers live in a household with at least one immigrant, 37% are born outside of the States, and 16% are non-citizens. But beyond the statistics, New York City boasts an inclusive community where people from all walks of life feel safe, and part of the reason is its many anti-discriminatory human rights laws.

The new directive also outlines, with a list of examples, actions that could result in a violation of the latest law, including harassing people over their accent or knowledge and usage of English.

“An Indian immigrant family complains to their landlord about mold and cockroaches in their unit. The landlord tells them to ‘just deal with it’ and threatens to call ICE if they file a complaint in housing court,” reads a hypothetical situation of violation.

“Classmates repeatedly bully a student who wears a hijab at school, calling her an ‘illegal’ and telling her to ‘take that off, you’re in America now.’ The student tells her teacher and the school administration that she is being bullied. The teacher and school administration, despite being aware of the conduct, have not taken the usual, mandatory measures to end the behavior,” reads another.

“Hotel staff voluntarily call federal immigration authorities to report the Spanish sounding names of the guests staying at the hotel because they believe there are too many undocumented immigrants in the U.S.,” is also one of the many examples outlined in the guidelines.

The Commission on Human Rights suggested that the directive is, at least in part, a rebuke of federal crackdowns on illegal immigration, according to the NYPost.

“In the face of increasingly hostile national rhetoric, we will do everything in our power to make sure our treasured immigrant communities are able to live with dignity and respect, free of harassment and bias,” said Carmelyn Malalis, the agency’s commissioner.

To further its protection laws and combat rising tensions, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs announced a joint $1 million investment with the state to guarantee legal services to immigrants facing imminent deportation, on Thursday.

New Law Prohibits Calling Someone An “Illegal Alien” Out of Hate in NYC